Abstract: The subject invention concerns peptide mimetics of SOCS proteins and methods of use. In one embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention binds to a SOCS1 and a SOCS3 target protein. In a specific embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:51, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. In a further embodiment, a peptide of the invention can comprise multiple copies of the mimetic sequence. In one embodiment, a peptide of the invention comprises two or more copies of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:51. In a specific embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and/or SEQ ID NO:4 to and/or SEQ ID NO:52, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The subject invention also pertains to methods of treating and/or preventing autoimmune conditions and/or disorders.

Abstract: Described herein are devices containing freestanding, ultrathin (<10 nm thick) membranes and methods of making such devices. Also described are methods of using devices containing freestanding ultrathin membranes for determining the sequence of a polynucleotide and for desalination of aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for direct growth of low noise, atomically thin freestanding membranes of two-dimensional monocrystalline or polycrystalline materials, such as transition metal chalcogenides including molybdenum disulfide. The freestanding membranes are directly grown over an aperture by reacting two precursors in a chemical vapor deposition process carried out at atmospheric pressure. Membrane growth is preferentially over apertures in a thin sheet of solid state material. The resulting membranes are one or a few atomic layers thick and essentially free of defects. The membranes are useful for sequencing of biopolymers through nanopores.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for direct growth of low noise, atomically thin freestanding membranes of two-dimensional monocrystalline or polycrystalline materials, such as transition metal chalcogenides including molybdenum disulfide. The freestanding membranes are directly grown over an aperture by reacting two precursors in a chemical vapor deposition process carried out at atmospheric pressure. Membrane growth is preferentially over apertures in a thin sheet of solid state material. The resulting membranes are one or a few atomic layers thick and essentially free of defects. The membranes are useful for sequencing of biopolymers through nanopores.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for sequencing and characterizing single nucleic acid molecules involve large arrays of nanopore zero-mode waveguides (NZMWs). The methods and devices are made possible by fabrication of nanoporous membranes of appropriate porosity for use in nucleotide sequencing. The fabrication methods eliminate the need for serial nanopore formation and make possible the mass production of highly efficient DNA and RNA single molecule sequencing devices.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for direct growth of low noise, atomically thin freestanding membranes of two-dimensional monocrystalline or polycrystalline materials, such as transition metal chalcogenides including molybdenum disulfide. The freestanding membranes are directly grown over an aperture by reacting two precursors in a chemical vapor deposition process carried out at atmospheric pressure. Membrane growth is preferentially over apertures in a thin sheet of solid state material. The resulting membranes are one or a few atomic layers thick and essentially free of defects. The membranes are useful for sequencing of biopolymers through nanopores.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for analysis of biopolymers and complexes containing biopolymers based on optical measurement of ion flux through pores. Also described are methods of using such devices for analysis of biopolymers and complexes containing biopolymers, including methods of determining the nucleotide sequences of polynucleotides.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for sequencing and characterizing single nucleic acid molecules involve large arrays of nanopore zero-mode waveguides (NZMWs). The methods and devices are made possible by fabrication of nanoporous membranes of appropriate porosity for use in nucleotide sequencing. The fabrication methods eliminate the need for serial nanopore formation and make possible the mass production of highly efficient DNA and RNA single molecule sequencing devices.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for direct growth of low noise, atomically thin freestanding membranes of two-dimensional monocrystalline or polycrystalline materials, such as transition metal chalcogenides including molybdenum disulfide. The freestanding membranes are directly grown over an aperture by reacting two precursors in a chemical vapor deposition process carried out at atmospheric pressure. Membrane growth is preferentially over apertures in a thin sheet of solid state material. The resulting membranes are one or a few atomic layers thick and essentially free of defects. The membranes are useful for sequencing of biopolymers through nanopores.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for treating or preventing T1D (T1D), the compositions comprising one or more antigen presenting cells (APC) that have been pulsed with one or more bacteria and/or components of the bacteria, wherein the bacteria or their components confer upon the APCs the ability to inhibit the generation of diabetes-promoting T cells. The subject invention also provides a method of treating or preventing T1D in a subject, the method comprising administering APC that have been pulsed with one or more bacteria and/or components of the bacteria and wherein the bacteria or their components confer upon the APCs the ability to inhibit the generation of diabetes-promoting T cells.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for analysis of biopolymers and complexes containing biopolymers based on optical measurement of ion flux through pores. Also described are methods of using such devices for analysis of biopolymers and complexes containing biopolymers, including methods of determining the nucleotide sequences of polynucleotides.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns peptide mimetics of SOCS proteins and methods of use. In one embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention binds to a SOCS1 and a SOCS3 target protein. In a specific embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:51, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. In a further embodiment, a peptide of the invention can comprise multiple copies of the mimetic sequence. In one embodiment, a peptide of the invention comprises two or more copies of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:51. In a specific embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and/or SEQ ID NO:4 to and/or SEQ ID NO:52, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The subject invention also pertains to methods of treating and/or preventing autoimmune conditions and/or disorders.

Abstract: Devices contain freestanding, ultra thin (<10 nm thick) membranes and methods of making such devices. Methods of using devices contain freestanding ultra thin membranes for determining the sequence of a polynucleotide and for desalination of aqueous solutions. A device containing: a substrate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture, the aperture having one or more walls connecting the upper and lower surfaces and forming a well; and a membrane attached to the lower surface of the substrate and forming a floor of the well, the membrane having a thickness of less than 10 nm. The electrical conductance across the membrane is less than 1 nS/?m2.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for treating or preventing T1D (T1D), the compositions comprising one or more antigen presenting cells (APC) that have been pulsed with one or more bacteria and/or components of the bacteria, wherein the bacteria or their components confer upon the APCs the ability to inhibit the generation of diabetes-promoting T cells. The subject invention also provides a method of treating or preventing T1D in a subject, the method comprising administering APC that have been pulsed with one or more bacteria and/or components of the bacteria and wherein the bacteria or their components confer upon the APCs the ability to inhibit the generation of diabetes-promoting T cells.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions for alleviating type 1 diabetes (T1D). In preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise an effective amount of one or more antigen presenting cells (APCs) that have been pulsed with one or more bacterial isolates and/or compounds from the isolates. The bacteria used to pulse the APCs are, preferably, those that confer upon the APCs the ability to inhibit the generation of diabetes-promoting T cells. In specific embodiments, these bacteria may be, for example, Eubacteria or Clostridia. In a preferred embodiment, the APCs are dendritic cells (DCs).