Abstract: Disclosed herein include engineered opioid biosensors, and related compositions, vectors, cells, and systems. Also disclosed include methods that provide opioid biosensors with sensitivity and selectivity suitable for continuous opioid monitoring as well as the use of the opioid biosensors for detecting one or more specific opioids. The opioid biosensors, which are capable of undergoing a detectable conformational change upon binding to an opioid, can each comprise a first periplasmic binding protein (PBP) domain and a second PBP domain connected to the first PBP domain, wherein at least one of the first PBP domain and the second PBP domain comprises one or more mutations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing metallurgical coke from non-coking coal. The method comprising, densifying, the non-coking coal to form pellets. The densified pellets will be placed in a microwave oven within plurality of bricks and are subjected for pyrolysis. For carrying our pyrolysis, the pellets are carried out by heating, the pellets in the microwave oven at a predetermined temperature under an inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, and then the pellets are cooled in the microwave oven under the inert atmosphere. This process coverts non-coking coal to the metallurgical coke in a quicker time, and without use of any susceptors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing metallurgical coke from non-coking coal. The method comprising, densifying, the non-coking coal to form pellets. The densified pellets will be placed in a microwave oven within plurality of bricks and are subjected for pyrolysis. For carrying our pyrolysis, the pellets are carried out by heating, the pellets in the microwave oven at a predetermined temperature under an inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, and then the pellets are cooled in the microwave oven under the inert atmosphere. This process coverts non-coking coal to the metallurgical coke in a quicker time, and without use of any susceptors.

Abstract: The disclosed device provides uniform illumination of variable intensity for a plant or animal container, e.g., a rodent cage, using infrared and broad spectrum light. Manual control or a timer can be provided. The device can mount on top of the container without need for substantial modification of the cage-or cage configuration.

Abstract: Methods to detect stoichiometries of protein complexes and/or interactions between proteins based on detection and quantification of FRET and related systems and compositions.

Abstract: Methods to detect stoichiometries of protein complexes and/or interactions between proteins based on detection and quantification of FRET and related systems and compositions.

Abstract: A method of ameliorating an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and/or unfolded protein response (UPR) in cells expressing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) comprises contacting a cell expressing nAChRs with an effective amount of a ligand for nAChRs. The contacting results in attenuating endogenously expressed ATF6 translocation, expression of XBP1, phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2? (peIF2?), increased numbers of ER exit sites, increased trafficking of known associated proteins as well as other proteins such as growth factors and their receptors, changes in abundance of selected mRNA species, and phosphorylation, abundance, or subcellular compartmentalization of other proteins involved with ER stress and/or the UPR, and inhibiting upregulation of CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Homologous Protein (CHOP) levels in the cells.

Abstract: Methods to detect stoichiometries of protein complexes and/or interactions between proteins based on detection and quantification of FRET and related systems and compositions.

Abstract: A mixing reactor for mixing efficiently streams of fluids of differing densities. In a preferred embodiment, one of the fluids is supercritical water, and the other is an aqueous salt solution. Thus, the reactor enables the production of metal oxide nanoparticles as a continuous process, without any risk of the reactor blocking due to the inefficient mixing inherent in existing reactor designs.

Abstract: Provided herein are transgenic non-human animals having a transgene encoding a variant nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit, wherein the variant nAChR subunit is selected from the group consisting of ?6, ?5, and ?2. The transgenic animals display a modified phenotype that includes nicotinic hypersensitivity. Also provided are methods of generating the invention transgenic animals. Further provided are methods for screening a candidate agent for the ability to modulate nicotine-mediated behavior in the invention transgenic animals.

Abstract: The disclosed device provides uniform illumination of variable intensity for a plant or animal container, e.g., a rodent cage, using infrared and broad spectrum light. Manual control or a timer can be provided. The device can mount on top of the container without need for substantial modification of the cage-or cage configuration.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for producing functional mammalian inward rectifier, G-protein activated potassium channels (Kir3.0 channels). A channel is a multimeric protein comprising one or more Kir3.0 polypeptides, e.g. Kir3.1, Kir3.2, etc., where the polypeptides may be from the same or different species. The functional channel has the distinctive features of an anomalous rectifier, in that it conducts inward but not outward K+ current; it is blocked by low concentrations of extracellular Cs+ or Ba2+; and the conductance of the channel does not depend solely on voltage, but on (E-EK). The ability of the channel to conduct inward K+ current is modulated by G-proteins, particularly G-proteins of the Gi/Go family. A number of mammalian cell surface receptors activate G-proteins as a consequence of specific ligand binding. The signal transduction from receptor to Kir3.0 channel is therefore coupled through G-protein intermediates. The functional Kir3.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode inward rectifier, G-protein activated, mammalian, potassium KGA channel. This invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with the above nucleic acid molecule. This invention further provides a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode inward rectifier, G-protein activated, mammalian, potassium KGA channel. This invention provides a host vector system for the production of a polypeptide having the biological activity of KGA channel which comprises the above vector in a suitable host.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of determining highly precise interactions between the HERG ion channel and various compounds. The methods of the present invention utilize modified HERG ion channels combined with heterologous in vivo expression in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of determining highly precise interactions between the HERG ion channel and various compounds. The methods of the present invention utilize the nonsense codon suppression methods combined with heterologous in vivo expression in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new use for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Specifically, the present invention provides a new method for evaluating the aminoacylation state of tRNAs, which are useful for site-directed mutagenesis of both sidechain and backbone protein structures. Further, the present invention useful for the generation of novel peptides, polypeptides, and proteins that may be used in drug design and screening, and in the design of small molecule agonists or antagonists for receptors, enzymes and other proteins and molecules involved in various disease states. Additionally, the present invention is useful in the field of tRNA aminoacylation, particularly in the design of synthetases.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of determining highly precise interactions between a membrane protein receptor and various compounds. The methods of the present invention utilize a receptophore model system and nonsense codon suppression methods combined with heterologous in vivo expression in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a general method for the efficient delivery of suppressor tRNA and mRNA or DNA encoding a protein of interest to mammalian cells. The method of electroporation described herein is useful for expanding nonsense suppression methodology to mammalian cell expression systems for the incorporation of unnatural amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of determining highly precise interactions between the HERG ion channel and various compounds. The methods of the present invention utilize the nonsense codon suppression methods combined with heterologous in vivo expression in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals expressing a hypersensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Transgenic animals have point mutations in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the &agr;4 subunit of the receptor that result in increased sensitivity to nicotine. Such transgenic animals are model systems for nicotine addiction and certain types of epilepsy.