Abstract: A method for developing an evolved structure by artificial evolution includes: obtaining one or more properties of a biological structure; computationally evolve the biological structure to obtain an evolved descriptor; inverse-mapping the evolved description to real space to form an evolved structure design; and constructing the evolved structure. The evolved structure comprises stronger performance across the properties than the biological structure. In an example aspect, a method for constructing an evolved structure includes: removing sericin from a cocoon; forming a first solution from the cocoon with removed sericin; forming a silk fibroin powder from the first solution; dissolving the silk fibroin powder to form a second solution; and electro spinning the second solution based on the evolved structure design.

Abstract: A method to simultaneously detect emission intensity or images at multiple distinct emission wavelengths in the analysis of parallel sample streams in a flow-based analysis system and apparatus for performing the described method.

Abstract: A method to simultaneously detect emission intensity or images at multiple distinct emission wavelengths in the analysis of parallel sample streams in a flow-based analysis system and apparatus for performing the described method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a perfusion device and methods of use including a generally cylindrical body and a packed bed of nanosensor-cell embedded matrix spheres (nanoCEMS) disposed between layers of inert microspheres. A concentration of a molecule of interest can be established within the perfusion device to effect the cellular and chemical microenvironment of the nanoCEMS, the nanoCEMS in turn creating their own concentration gradients nutrients and waste products in response, which can be measured by nanosensors. The collected measurements can be applied to a transport model to calculate concentrations of various molecules at discreet locations in the perfusion chamber. Also disclosed is a method for making nanoCEMS by mixing a polymeric mixture with a crosslinking solution and dispersed through a nested dispensing device such that mixing of the two mixtures occurs in air. A piezoelectric transducer coupled to the dispensing device controls the droplet formation rate.

Abstract: An affordable flow cytometry system with a significantly increased analytical rate, volumetric sample delivery and usable particle size including a light beam that interrogates multiple flow streams so as to provide excitation across all of the streams, and an optical objective configured to collect light from the sample streams and image the light onto an array detector.

Abstract: An affordable flow cytometry system with a significantly increased analytical rate, volumetric sample delivery and usable particle size including a light beam that interrogates multiple flow streams so as to provide excitation across all of the streams, and an optical objective configured to collect light from the sample streams and image the light onto an array detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling precise, 3-dimensional, photoactivation localization microscopy (PALM) using selective, two-photon activation of fluorophores in a single z-slice of a sample in cooperation with time-gated imaging for reducing the background radiation from other image planes to levels suitable for single-molecule detection and spatial location, are described.

Abstract: An assay element is described including recognition ligands bound to a film on a single mode planar optical waveguide, the film from the group of a membrane, a polymerized bilayer membrane, and a self-assembled monolayer containing polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol groups therein and an assay process for detecting the presence of a biological target is described including injecting a biological target-containing sample into a sensor cell including the assay element, with the recognition ligands adapted for binding to selected biological targets, maintaining the sample within the sensor cell for time sufficient for binding to occur between selected biological targets within the sample and the recognition ligands, injecting a solution including a reporter ligand into the sensor cell; and, interrogating the sample within the sensor cell with excitation light from the waveguide, the excitation light provided by an evanescent field of the single mode penetrating into the biological target-containing samp