Abstract: Provided herein are mutant endonuclease V enzymes that are capable of nicking an inosine-containing DNA sequence. Nucleic acid assays and agents that employ such mutant endonuclease V enzymes to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of a target DNA are also described.

Abstract: A system for extracting material from a region of interest includes a fluid delivery base comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel formed within the fluid delivery base; a gasket affixed to the fluid delivery base, wherein the gasket comprises at least one opening exposing an open end of the inlet channel and an open end of the outlet channel; a support comprising a sample-supporting surface facing the gasket and an opposing surface; and an alignment member coupled to the opposing surface in a fixed position and such that the support is positioned between the fluid delivery base and the alignment member, wherein one or both of the alignment member or the fluid delivery base are biased towards one another by a force (e.g., a magnet or spring force) and wherein the fluid delivery base is separable from the support and configured to move along a plane of the sample-supporting surface to align with the alignment member.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The disclosure generally relates to methods and kits for nucleic acid amplification of target nucleic acids of interest. The methods described herein promote the synthesis of the target nucleic acid (i.e., template nucleic acid) by reducing the production of undesirable primer-dimer structures and chimeric nucleic acid products during the amplification process by using novel modified primers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising an air circulating device, an allergen source comprising an allergen, and a housing. The housing can be collapsible, portable, disposable and configurable. The present disclosure also provides a method comprising positioning an allergen source comprising an allergen in a chamber, distributing at least a portion of the allergen from the allergen source within the chamber, and collecting at least a portion of the distributed allergen. In an embodiment, the level of the shed allergen can be used to measure the effectiveness of various measures implemented to reduce airborne Fel d1 that is emitted from soiled cat litter. In another embodiment, the allergen can be introduced at a desired level in the chamber, and the resultant symptoms of a subject (e.g. a human) within the chamber can be identified and correlated with the amount of allergen.

Abstract: A device and a system for eluting biomolecules from biological sample by electroelution are provided. The device for electroelution of biomolecules from a biological sample is constituted with a housing configured to receive an electrolyte and the biological sample, at least two electrodes comprising conductive redox polymers operationally coupled to the housing, and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes to prevent the biomolecules from reaching the electrode. A system is provided, wherein the system comprises a sample collection port, one or more reservoirs comprising a buffer, a solvent, a reagent or combinations thereof, an device for electroelution, and a controller.

Abstract: A method of isolating nucleic acids from a biological material, comprises applying the biological material on a substrate comprising one or more cell lysis reagents impregnated therein; applying a fluid to the biological material applied on the substrate; extracting the nucleic acids from the biological material applied on the substrate; and collecting the extracted nucleic acids in a substantially intact form, wherein the collected nucleic acid has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 20 kb.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant endonuclease V enzymes that are capable of nicking an inosine-containing DNA sequence. Nucleic acid assays and agents that employ such mutant endonuclease V enzymes to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of a target DNA are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generation and amplification of a single-stranded DNA circle in a single reaction vessel from a linear DNA without any intervening purification steps. The single-stranded DNA circle is generated via a template-independent single-stranded DNA ligation. Whole-genome amplification of linear chromosomal DNA in a single tube using ligation-assisted DNA amplification is also provided.

Abstract: A method for constructing a concrete structure with light sources embedded therein is provided. An array of light sources with associated circuitry is positioned on a support member. A mold is positioned around the light sources and the associated circuitry on the support member. A binder material is filled in the mold containing the light sources and the associated circuitry on the support member to embed the light sources and the associated circuitry within the binder material. The binder material is allowed to set within the mold containing the embedded light sources and the associated circuitry. The mold and the support member are then removed to obtain the concrete structure embedded with the light sources and the associated circuitry. The embedded light sources illuminate the concrete structure when the embedded light sources are powered on. A decorative upper layer may be created by marbling, veining, etc., in the concrete structure.

Abstract: A method is provided herein, wherein the method of capturing a target nucleic acid, comprises applying a nucleic acid capture probe to a capture zone of a needs definition, wherein the nucleic acid capture probe having a first molecular weight comprises at least a sequence that is complimentary to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid sequence and the nucleic acid capture probe is substantially immobilized at the capture zone of the substrate. The method further comprises applying a sample comprising the target nucleic acid having a second molecular weight to a sample application zone of the substrate; wherein the sample comprising the target nucleic acid flows across a length of the substrate from the sample application zone to the capture zone by lateral flow, and the target nucleic acid is captured by the nucleic acid capture probes by hybridization to the capture zone.

Abstract: A method is provided herein, the method includes: applying a sample comprising target nucleic acids to a sample application zone of a substrate; and flowing a nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture across a length of the substrate through the sample application zone to amplify the target nucleic acid forming a nucleic acid amplification product; wherein the target nucleic acid having a first molecular weight is substantially immobilized at the sample application zone and wherein the amplification product having a second molecular weight migrates away from the sample application zone. An associated device is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided herein, the method includes: applying a sample comprising target nucleic acids to a sample application zone of a substrate; applying an aqueous buffer to the sample application zone of the substrate to washes away one or more inhibitors present on the sample application zone; and applying an isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture to the sample application zone to amplify the target nucleic acid to form a nucleic acid amplification product. The target nucleic acid having a first molecular weight is substantially immobilized at the sample application zone and wherein the amplification product having a second molecular weight.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generation and amplification of a single-stranded DNA circle in a single reaction vessel from a linear DNA without any intervening purification steps. The single-stranded DNA circle is generated via a template-independent single-stranded DNA ligation. Whole-genome amplification of circulating nucleic acids extracted from blood is provided. Kits for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a plurality of targets in a biological sample are provided. The method comprises contacting the biological sample with a plurality of target-binding probes simultaneously to form a plurality of target-bound probes and observing the signals from the target-bound probes sequentially. An associated kit and device for detection of the plurality of targets are also provided.

Abstract: A projector system using a screen comprised of either a plurality of miniature, reflective, and concave or convex curved surfaces that are arranged in a pattern to create a screen surface for front projection, or a plurality of miniature, transparent, and curved convex or concave lenses that are arranged in a pattern to create a screen surface for rear projection, and a projector system with the pixel capacity to control the color and brightness focused onto many different subsections of each curved surface. Each curved lens or curved mirror surface is small enough so that when viewed from the viewing area, the lit and unlit areas seen within each individual curved surface blend together so that only the average brightness and color of each curved surface can be seen by a viewer.

Abstract: A projector system using a screen comprised of either a plurality of miniature, reflective, and concave or convex curved surfaces that are arranged in a pattern to create a screen surface for front projection, or a plurality of miniature, transparent, and curved convex or concave lenses that are arranged in a pattern to create a screen surface for rear projection, and a projector system with the pixel capacity to control the color and brightness focused onto many different subsections of each curved surface. Each curved lens or curved mirror surface is small enough so that when viewed from the viewing area, the lit and unlit areas seen within each individual curved surface blend together so that only the average brightness and color of each curved surface can be seen by a viewer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for isothermal nucleic acid amplifications that use a target nucleic acid template; a reaction mixture comprising a DNA polymerase having a strand displacement activity, a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) mixture, a primer with a 3? end and a 5? end, a molecular crowding reagent, and a buffer solution for amplifying the target nucleic acid template. The buffer solution maintains a low salt concentration of the reaction mixture, and wherein the salt concentration results in a melting temperature (Tm) of the primer at least 10° C. below the reaction temperature. The amplification is effected under isothermal condition.

Abstract: A device, a system, a cartridge and a method for isolating biomolecules from biological materials are provided. The device comprises a substrate; a reagent storage location; and a self-rupturing component comprising a fluid and a pressure source embedded therein, wherein the substrate, the reagent storage location and the self-rupturing component are operationally coupled to each other. A system is provided, wherein the system comprises an extraction matrix, an enclosed matrix housing comprising a biological sample inlet, one or more biomolecule extraction reagents to extract biomolecules and at least one pressure source embedded therein, a fluidic extraction circuit; and a controller for activating the embedded pressure source. A method of isolating nucleic acids from biological materials is also provided.

Abstract: A method of eliciting an immune response in an organism comprising: providing an unprocessed rolling circle amplification (RCA) product; and administering an effective amount of the unprocessed RCA product to the organism to elicit the immune response, wherein the unprocessed RCA product is prepared from a circular nucleic acid template comprising at least one promoter sequence, and at least one target sequence. A vaccine comprising unprocessed RCA product is also provided and methods for making the same.

Abstract: A method of drying a biological sample disposed on a substrate is provided. The method comprises providing the substrate comprising a sample loading area and a heat source; activating the heat source for generating heat; heating the substrate at least above 65° C.; and drying the biological sample. A device for storing sample is also provided, wherein the device comprises a substrate for biological sample-storage; and a heating component that generates heat to maintain a temperature of at least above 65° C. The heating component may contain one or more reagents, wherein the reagents generate heat to maintain a temperature of at least above 65° C.