Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions, and systems for determining an analyte in a sample. Method of determining an amount of an analyte in a sample using an adapted bio sensing microbe can include inducing an adapted bio sensing microbe containing an inducible promoter operably linked to a gene encoding a signal, wherein the inducible promoter is induced by the analyte to produce the signal; measuring the signal; and determining, in response to the signal, the amount of the analyte. The sample can include a high salinity medium (e.g., groundwater, seawater, road run-off water, anaerobic bioreactor water, and sewer water). The analyte can include heavy metal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample (e.g., biological sample or environmental sample). The method includes administering to the sample an effective amount of a composition comprising an engineered bacterium (e.g., A. baylyi) and detecting an output signal. In some cases, the mammal has a cancer or an infectious disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-strain population control systems, methods, kits, and compositions. Also provided are methods, systems, kits, and compositions for culturing bacterial cells in multi-strain ecosystems, and temporally arranged multi-strain ecosystems or cultures using a synchronized lysis circuit in combination with multiple toxin/antitoxin systems to cycle continuously over a long period of time.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating multiplex CRISPR arrays based on annealing and ligating single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides using bridge oligonucleotides. The methods described herein include providing a first oligonucleotide comprising a CRISPR repeat sequence or a portion thereof, and a first portion of a first spacer sequence at its 3? end; providing a second oligonucleotide comprising, from 5? to 3?, a second portion of the first spacer sequence, the CRISPR repeat sequence, and a first portion of a second spacer sequence; providing a bridge oligonucleotide comprising a sequence substantially complementary to the first spacer sequence; allowing the first oligonucleotide and the second oligonucleotide to hybridize with the bridge oligonucleotide; and ligating the first and second oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-strain population control systems, methods, kits, and compositions. Also provided are methods, systems, kits, and compositions for culturing bacterial cells in multi-strain ecosystems, and temporally arranged multi-strain ecosystems or cultures using a synchronized lysis circuit in combination with multiple toxin/antitoxin systems to cycle continuously over a long period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of measuring a cell population, the method including culturing a cell population in a growth medium, wherein the cell population includes a cell strain including a control gene and a promoter sequence; positioning first and second electrodes in contact with the growth medium, wherein the first and second electrodes are connected to different terminals of an electrical source; applying an electrical signal between the two electrodes; measuring an electrical parameter of the growth medium as a function of time; and determining information about the cell population based upon the measured electrical parameter.

Abstract: Provided are bacterial strains, methods of culturing bacterial cells using synthetic quorum-regulated lysis, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for modulating induction of quorum sensing in bacterial cells. For example, provided herein is a method of inducing method of inducing quorum sensing, where the method includes: culturing a bacterial strain, wherein the bacterial strain comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first activator polypeptide, wherein expression of the first activator polypeptide produces a quorum sensing molecule precursor; a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a second activator polypeptide, wherein expression of the second activator polypeptide produces a quorum sensing; a third nucleic acid sequence encoding a third activator polypeptide that is capable of activating the quorum sensing system; a fourth nucleic acid sequence encoding a gene of interest, and contacting the bacterial strain with an inducer molecule; and converting the inducer molecule into a quorum sensing molecule, thereby allowing induction of quorum sensing.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic biosensors that are suitable for continuously monitoring toxin levels in water supplies.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic biosensors that are suitable for continuously monitoring toxin levels in water supplies.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided are bacterial strains, methods of culturing bacterial cells using synthetic quorum-regulated lysis, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-strain population control systems, methods, kits, and compositions. Also provided are methods, systems, kits, and compositions for culturing bacterial cells in multi-strain ecosystems, and temporally arranged multi-strain ecosystems or cultures using a synchronized lysis circuit in combination with multiple toxin/antitoxin systems to cycle continuously over a long period of time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a food product, non-pathogenic microorganism, kits, methods of diagnosing a tumor in a subject, methods of quantifying the number of cancer cells in a cell sample, and methods of detecting a cancer cell, cancer tissue, or cell associated with a hyperproliferative disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of detecting the presence or absence of a modified substrate or portion thereof in urine of an animal without an instrument and solely by visual inspection of the urine.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to cells which have been genetically engineered to release a polypeptide when a population of the cells reaches a desired density. In some embodiments, the released polypeptide may be a therapeutic polypeptide. In some embodiments, the therapeutic polypeptide kills tumor cells or which inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic biosensors that are suitable for continuously monitoring toxin levels in water supplies.