The present disclosure provides novel poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) compounds, methods for synthesizing these compounds, and materials and substances incorporating these compounds. The various PPEs show antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of (a) providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; (b) contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; (c) incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and (d) determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of (a) providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; (b) contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; (c) incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and (d) determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

Embodiments are directed to a method of making an antifouling and bactericidal coating with tailorable surface topology. The method includes depositing a layer of branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and diamino-functionalized poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) in a mixture of water and organic solvent on a substrate to form a layer of BPEI/PPO. The method includes depositing a layer of glyoxal in a water-containing solution on the layer of BPEI/PPO. The method further includes curing the layer of BPEI/PPO and layer of glyoxal to form a homogenous, glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating, where the curing induces local precipitation and alteration of the glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating to provide a textured surface.

Embodiments are directed to a method of making an antifouling and bactericidal coating with tailorable surface topology. The method includes depositing a layer of branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and diamino-functionalized poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) in a mixture of water and organic solvent on a substrate to form a layer of BPEI/PPO. The method includes depositing a layer of glyoxal in a water-containing solution on the layer of BPEI/PPO. The method further includes curing the layer of BPEI/PPO and layer of glyoxal to form a homogenous, glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating, where the curing induces local precipitation and alteration of the glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating to provide a textured surface.

The present disclosure provides novel poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) compounds, methods for synthesizing these compounds, and materials and substances incorporating these compounds. The various PPEs show antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity.

The present disclosure relates to deodorizing compounds and compositions for use in methods of repelling insects and methods of reducing or preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens.

The present disclosure relates to deodorizing compounds and compositions for use in methods of repelling insects and methods of reducing or preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens.

The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for using the insect neuromodulator tyramine and/or one or more derivatives thereof delivered to insect populations to control certain aspects of such populations. The amount of tyramine and/or one or more derivatives thereof delivered on a per insect basis is significantly greater than a naturally-occurring amount of tyramine normally found in insects and causes deleterious effects including mortality of certain insect life forms and disruption of the reproductive capacity of others in the population.

The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for using the insect neuromodulator tyramine and/or one or more derivatives thereof delivered to insect populations to control certain aspects of such populations. The amount of tyramine and/or one or more derivatives thereof delivered on a per insect basis is significantly greater than a naturally-occurring amount of tyramine normally found in insects and causes deleterious effects including mortality of certain insect life forms and disruption of the reproductive capacity of others in the population.