Abstract: A polymer-micelle complex suitable for use as an aid to preparing fibers, particularly nanofibers, by electrospinning. The polymer-micelle complex may be designed to impart viscosity, surface tension and conductivity properties optimal for electrospinning. By incorporating the complex as a secondary ingredient, one may electrospin sparingly soluble or low molecular weight polymers. Moreover, the polymer-micelle complex can be used as a generic carrier for preparing fibers incorporating other desired materials, such as rigid or globular (hard-to-spin) polymers, enzymes, cells, viral particles and nanoparticles.

Abstract: A polymer-micelle complex suitable for use as an aid to preparing fibers, particularly nanofibers, by electrospinning. The polymer-micelle complex may be designed to impart viscosity, surface tension and conductivity properties optimal for electrospinning. By incorporating the complex as a secondary ingredient, one may electrospin sparingly soluble or low molecular weight polymers. Moreover, the polymer-micelle complex can be used as a generic carrier for preparing fibers incorporating other desired materials, such as rigid or globular (hard-to-spin) polymers, enzymes, cells, viral particles and nanoparticles.

Abstract: A membrane assembly adapted for use in capturing an analyte of interest, the membrane assembly comprising in one embodiment (a) an electrospun nanofibrous membrane, the electrospun nanofibrous membrane comprising a random mat of electrospun nanofibers, at least some of the electrospun nanofibers including one or more types of functional groups; and (b) at least one molecular recognition element immobilized on the random mat via a functional group, the molecular recognition element being adapted to selectively bind the analyte of interest. The membrane assembly may be incorporated into a sensor.

Abstract: A polymer-micelle complex suitable for use as an aid to preparing fibers, particularly nanofibers, by electrospinning. The polymer-micelle complex may be designed to impart viscosity, surface tension and conductivity properties optimal for electrospinning. By incorporating the complex as a secondary ingredient, one may electrospin sparingly soluble or low molecular weight polymers. Moreover, the polymer-micelle complex can be used as a generic carrier for preparing fibers incorporating other desired materials, such as rigid or globular (hard-to-spin) polymers, enzymes, cells, viral particles and nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for discovering one or more peptides adapted for specific binding to a microorganism of interest. The method comprises (i) identifying an antimicrobial peptide having antimicrobial activity against the microorganism of interest, (ii) generating a library of first generation mutants of the antimicrobial peptide, each of the first generation mutants differing from the antimicrobial peptide by a small number of amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions, (iii) screening the library of first generation mutants for those first generation mutants that bind to the microorganism of interest, (iv) determining the peptide sequences of those first generation mutants that bind to the microorganism of interest, and (v) if necessary, repeating steps (ii) through (iv) for one or more successive generations of mutants until one or more consensus peptide sequences emerge.

Abstract: A method for discovering one or more peptides adapted for specific binding to a microorganism of interest. The method comprises (i) identifying an antimicrobial peptide having antimicrobial activity against the microorganism of interest, (ii) generating a library of first generation mutants of the antimicrobial peptide, each of the first generation mutants differing from the antimicrobial peptide by a small number of amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions, (iii) screening the library of first generation mutants for those first generation mutants that bind to the microorganism of interest, (iv) determining the peptide sequences of those first generation mutants that bind to the microorganism of interest, and (v) if necessary, repeating steps (ii) through (iv) for one or more successive generations of mutants until one or more consensus peptide sequences emerge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.