Abstract: A thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric module having a hot side and a cold side, a first heat exchanger coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric module, a second heat exchanger coupled to the cold side of the thermoelectric module, a gasket positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and defining an opening for receiving the thermoelectric module, and a plastic barrier film. The gasket includes an inner perimeter adjacent to the thermoelectric module and an outer perimeter distal to the thermoelectric module. The plastic barrier film is coupled to at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the gasket to substantially inhibit an ingress of moisture to the gasket and the thermoelectric module. Other example thermoelectric assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric module having a hot side and a cold side, a first heat exchanger coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric module, a second heat exchanger coupled to the cold side of the thermoelectric module, a gasket positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and defining an opening for receiving the thermoelectric module, and a plastic barrier film. The gasket includes an inner perimeter adjacent to the thermoelectric module and an outer perimeter distal to the thermoelectric module. The plastic barrier film is coupled to at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the gasket to substantially inhibit an ingress of moisture to the gasket and the thermoelectric module. Other example thermoelectric assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a chemically-modified siRNA for reversible photo-controlled gene silencing is provided. In one embodiment, one or more nucleotides the sense strand of the siRNA are replaced with a spacer comprising an azobenzene or derivative thereof. The azobenzene or derivative thereof undergoes isomerization between the trans-configuration and the cis-configuration in the presence of light from a light source and the siRNA optionally has higher RNA silencing activity when the azobenzene or derivative thereof is in the trans-configuration compared to the cis-configuration. In other aspects, the chemically-modified siRNAs may, for example, be useful as both therapeutics and research tools.

Abstract: In one aspect, a chemically-modified siRNA for reversible photo-controlled gene silencing is provided. In one embodiment, one or more nucleotides the sense strand of the siRNA are replaced with a spacer comprising an azobenzene or derivative thereof. The azobenzene or derivative thereof undergoes isomerization between the trans-configuration and the cis-configuration in the presence of light from a light source and the siRNA optionally has higher RNA silencing activity when the azobenzene or derivative thereof is in the trans-configuration compared to the cis-configuration. In other aspects, the chemically-modified siRNAs may, for example, be useful as both therapeutics and research tools.