Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for proteome engineering cells such that cell-free extracts prepared from such engineered cells can be modified to have metabolic flux directed to a metabolism of interest. In addition, methods for producing cell-free extracts with directed metabolism, cell-free extracts and kits that contain cell-free extracts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates in various embodiments to a composite useful as e.g. a medical implant device, and a method of treating fouling, including biofouling as may occur on an implant. The composite comprises a matrix phase and a patterned phase that comprises an energetically activatable wire intermixed with the matrix phase, the wire when energetically activated, which includes thermal activation, causes modification of at least a portion of the matrix phase to treat fouling that might otherwise occur. The method of treating biofouling may be practiced on a patent while the medical implant of the invention is in situ.

Abstract: Engineered reaction containers that can be physically and chemically defined to control the flux of molecules of different sizes and charge are disclosed. Methods for constructing small volume reaction containers through a combination of etching and deposition are also disclosed. The methods allow for the fabrication of multiple devices that possess features on multiple length scales, specifically small volume containers with controlled porosity on the nanoscale.

Abstract: Compositions comprising nanosized objects (i.e., nanoparticles) in which at least one observable marker, such as a radioisotope or fluorophore, is incorporated within the nanosized object. The nanosized objects include, for example, metal or semi-metal oxide (e.g., silica), quantum dot, noble metal, magnetic metal oxide, organic polymer, metal salt, and core-shell nanoparticles, wherein the label is incorporated within the nanoparticle or selectively in a metal oxide shell of a core-shell nanoparticle. Methods of preparing the volume-labeled nanoparticles are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates in various embodiments to a composite useful as e.g. a medical implant device, and a method of treating fouling, including biofouling as may occur on an implant. The composite comprises a matrix phase and a patterned phase that comprises an energetically activatable wire intermixed with the matrix phase, the wire when energetically activated, which includes thermal activation, causes modification of at least a portion of the matrix phase to treat fouling that might otherwise occur. The method of treating biofouling may be practiced on a patent while the medical implant of the invention is in situ.

Abstract: A method, composition and structure to treat fouling. In one embodiment, the method of treating fouling includes providing a structure including a first component of a base material and a second component of an energetically activated nanostructure, and applying a stimuli to the structure that effectuates an increase or decrease in the temperature of the energetically activated nanostructure. The increase or decrease in the temperature of the energetically activated nanostructure modifies the chemical and/or mechanical properties of the base material. The modifications to the chemical and/or mechanical properties of the base material obstruct fouling of the structure.

Abstract: Compositions comprising nanosized objects (i.e., nanoparticles) in which at least one observable marker, such as a radioisotope or fluorophore, is incorporated within the nanosized object. The nanosized objects include, for example, metal or semi-metal oxide (e.g., silica), quantum dot, noble metal, magnetic metal oxide, organic polymer, metal salt, and core-shell nanoparticles, wherein the label is incorporated within the nanoparticle or selectively in a metal oxide shell of a core-shell nanoparticle. Methods of preparing the volume-labeled nanoparticles are also described.

Abstract: Compositions comprising nanosized objects (i.e., nanoparticles) in which at least one observable marker, such as a radioisotope or fluorophore, is incorporated within the nanosized object. The nanosized objects include, for example, metal or semi-metal oxide (e.g., silica), quantum dot, noble metal, magnetic metal oxide, organic polymer, metal salt, and core-shell nanoparticles, wherein the label is incorporated within the nanoparticle or selectively in a metal oxide shell of a core-shell nanoparticle. Methods of preparing the volume-labeled nanoparticles are also described.

Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus, includes a substrate and a nanoconduit material coupled to a surface of the substrate. The substrate defines an aperture and the nanoconduit material defines a nanoconduit that is i) contiguous with the aperture and ii) aligned substantially non-parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Engineered reaction containers that can be physically and chemically defined to control the flux of molecules of different sizes and charge are disclosed. Methods for constructing small volume reaction containers through a combination of etching and deposition are also disclosed. The methods allow for the fabrication of multiple devices that possess features on multiple length scales, specifically small volume containers with controlled porosity on the nanoscale.

Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus, includes a substrate and a nanoreplicant structure coupled to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. A method includes depositing a catalyst particle on a surface of a substrate to define a deterministically located position; growing an aligned elongated nanostructure on the substrate, an end of the aligned elongated nanostructure coupled to the substrate at the deterministically located position; coating the aligned elongated nanostructure with a conduit material; removing a portion of the conduit material to expose the catalyst particle; removing the catalyst particle; and removing the elongated nanostructure to define a nanoconduit.

Abstract: A nanoengineered membrane for controlling material transport (e.g., molecular transport) is disclosed. The membrane includes a substrate, a cover defining a material transport channel between the substrate and the cover, and a plurality of fibers positioned in the channel and connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate. The fibers are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and have a width of 100 nanometers or less. The diffusion limits for material transport are controlled by the separation of the fibers. In one embodiment, chemical derivatization of carbon fibers may be undertaken to further affect the diffusion limits or affect selective permeability or facilitated transport. For example, a coating can be applied to at least a portion of the fibers. In another embodiment, individually addressable carbon nanofibers can be integrated with the membrane to provide an electrical driving force for material transport.

Abstract: Software for designing optimized sets of oligonucleotide probes for use in genosensors (oligonucleotide microarrays) is disclosed. The selection of probe sequences is based on multiple criteria including thermal stability of the probe-target pairs, similarity degree of the probes with respect to other DNA sequences, and evaluation of the secondary structure of target molecules. The programs were written in the programming language Borland Delphi by means of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) techniques. The Genosensor Probe Design computer program disclosed herein facilitates the design of optimized arrays of probes which accurately represents the characteristics of the nucleic acid molecule under study, such as its identity or its differences in sequence or abundance with respect to other molecules.

Abstract: A manifold device is provided for use with a valve assembly, an aspiration source and a dispensing source to transfer fluid from at least one of a plurality of fluid reservoirs to at least one test site on a substrate surface. The manifold device includes a manifold body that defines a plurality of fluid aspiration conduits, for fluid aspiration in an aspiration position, and a plurality of fluid dispensing conduits to selectively dispense at least one droplet of the corresponding liquid sample slug, in a dispensing position. In the aspiration position, the respective sample paths are out of fluid communication with the dispensing source and, in the dispensing position, the respective sample paths are out of fluid communication with the aspiration source.

Abstract: A hybrid valve apparatus for use with an aspiration actuator and a dispensing actuator to transfer fluid from a reservoir to a test site on a substrate surface. The hybrid valve includes a valve assembly movable between an aspiration condition and a dispensing condition, and a manifold device coupled to the valve assembly. The manifold device includes a fluid aspiration conduit having a first aspiration port in fluid communication with the aspiration actuator. On an opposite end of the aspiration conduit is a second aspiration port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively aspirate a liquid sample slug from the reservoir into a discrete sample path when the valve assembly is in the aspiration condition. The manifold device further includes a fluid dispensing conduit having a first dispensing port in fluid communication with the dispensing actuator, and a second dispensing port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly.

Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus, includes a substrate and a nanoreplicant structure coupled to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a well sampling tape (otherwise known as “microwell tape” or simply “tape”), a dispenser for dispensing small volumes of liquid into the wells formed in the tape and a detector for high-throughput sample reading of the liquid dispensed in the individual wells. The present invention is more specifically directed to a bioassay system incorporating the materials listed above.

Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus includes a substrate and a nanoconduit material coupled to a surface of the substrate, where the substrate defines an aperture and the nanoconduit material defines a nanoconduit that is i) contiguous with the aperture and ii) aligned substantially non-parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the substrate. An apparatus includes a substrate and a nanoreplicant structure coupled to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A hybrid valve apparatus for use with an aspiration actuator and a dispensing actuator to transfer fluid from a reservoir to a test site on a substrate surface. The hybrid valve includes a valve assembly movable between an aspiration condition and a dispensing condition, and a manifold device coupled to the valve assembly. The manifold device includes a fluid aspiration conduit having a first aspiration port in fluid communication with the aspiration actuator. On an opposite end of the aspiration conduit is a second aspiration port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively aspirate a liquid sample slug from the reservoir into a discrete sample path when the valve assembly is in the aspiration condition. The manifold device further includes a fluid dispensing conduit having a first dispensing port in fluid communication with the dispensing actuator, and a second dispensing port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly.