Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for making and using aptamers, for example, DNA aptamers (DCEs) and/or RNA aptamers. In some embodiments, methods relate to making and amplifying target DCEs. In certain embodiments, methods for making capture elements or aptamers concern using a reporter moiety and signal reducing moiety prior to amplifying a target-specific capture element. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of aptamers such as DCEs directed to a particular target agent. Some embodiments relate to systems for performing automated generation of aptamers.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.

Abstract: We describe examples using aptamers for capturing and reporting the presence of a target, such as a pathogen. Examples described here include a set of aptamers that are specific to F. tularensisis. Other examples described here include an Aptamer-Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) and dot blot assay. An example of a method provided here comprises: providing a set of DNA sequences that exhibit high binding affinity to target antigen, placing the DNA sequences in a sandwich aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay (ALISA), contacting the DNA sequences with a sample, and detecting whether the target is present in the sample. Some alternative implementations may include dot blots and different reporters. Quantum dot sandwich assays and quantum dot de-quenching reporters can be used.

Abstract: We describe examples using aptamers for capturing and reporting the presence of a target, such as a pathogen. Examples described here include a set of aptamers that are specific to F. tularensisis. Other examples described here include an Aptamer-Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) and dot blot assay. An example of a method provided here comprises: providing a set of DNA sequences that exhibit high binding affinity to target antigen, placing the DNA sequences in a sandwich aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay (ALISA), contacting the DNA sequences with a sample, and detecting whether the target is present in the sample. Some alternative implementations may include dot blots and different reporters. Quantum dot sandwich assays and quantum dot de-quenching reporters can be used.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.

Abstract: A new strain of Bacillus anthracis derived from the Sterne vaccine strain of Bacillus anthracis by growth on a high-nitrate-concentration, 3-amino-L-tyrosine growth medium.

Abstract: A new strain of Bacillus anthracis derived from the Sterne vaccine strain of Bacillus anthracis by growth on a high-nitrate-concentration, 3-amino-L-tyrosine growth medium.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for making and using aptamers, for example, DNA aptamers (DCEs) and/or RNA aptamers. In some embodiments, methods relate to making and amplifying target DCEs. In certain embodiments, methods for making capture elements or aptamers concern using a reporter moiety and signal reducing moiety prior to amplifying a target-specific capture element. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of aptamers such as DCEs directed to a particular target agent. Some embodiments relate to systems for performing automated generation of aptamers.

Abstract: A new strain of Bacillus anthracis derived from the Sterne vaccine strain of Bacillus anthracis by growth on a high-nitrate-concentration, 3-amino-L-tyrosine growth medium.

Abstract: A PCR-based method for the identification of Bacillus anthracis is described. The method utilizes novel primer sets; designated 2Xlg3F (SEQ ID NO 3), 2Xlg3R (SEQ ID NO 4), 2Xlg3F2 (SEQ ID NO 5), 2Xlg3R2 (SEQ ID NO 6), 4XH1a2F (SEQ ID NO 7), and 4XH1a2R (SEQ ID NO 8).

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of preparing nucleic acid ligands against anthrax spores, compositions comprising anthrax specific nucleic acid ligands and methods of use of such ligands for detection and/or neutralization of anthrax spores.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of preparing nucleic acid ligands against Shiga toxin and/or Shiga-like toxin, compositions comprising nucleic acid ligands that bind Shiga toxin and/or Shiga-like toxin, nucleic acid ligands comprising contiguous nucleotide sequences selected from SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:11 and methods of use of such ligands for detection and/or neutralization of Shiga toxin and/or Shiga-like toxin.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, apparatus and methods of use of recognition complexes, comprising biological sensors operably linked to an organic semiconductor. Multiple recognition complexes can be associated into a recognition complex system. The recognition complex system is of use to identify analytes, to separate biological sensors that bind to a target analyte from those that do not, to separate analytes that bind to a specific biological sensor from those that do not, and to prepare biological sensors with a high affinity for a particular analyte. The recognition complex system may be attached to a variety of surfaces, such as a chip, a flow cell, magnetic beads or non-magnetic beads. The biological sensor may be used for screening of, for example, a phage library, combinatorial chemistry library, plant tissue extract or animal tissue extract for inhibitors, activators or binding factors of bioactive molecules.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of preparing nucleic acid ligands against anthrax spores, compositions comprising anthrax specific nucleic acid ligands and methods of use of such ligands for detection and/or neutralization of anthrax spores.

Abstract: The cell line HeLa is transformed with the chromosomal insertion of the plasmid pSV2neoNR101, ATCC No. 69617. The transformed cells, HeLaNR1, produce diazoluminomelanin (DALM) intra cellularly when provided with nitrate, luminol and 3-amino-L-tyrosine•HC1 (3AT). The modified cells can be used to study mechanisms for radiofrequency and light radiation interactions with carcinoma of the cervix. The effects of drugs, hormones, and cytokines that affect the expression of nitric oxide synthase and its activity can also be studied to understand the effects of these materials on cervix cells.