A biosensor having a core/shell nanocomposite of TiO2/rGO formed by hydrothermally coating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) flakes on titanate nanowires.

The invention relates to identification and characterization of recombinant DNA and polypeptides for specific Bt toxin receptors. In particular, the Bt toxin receptors of the invention include those derived from the Lepidopteran super family including the species Trichoplusiani ni, Pseudoplusia includens, Helicoverpa zea, and Spodoptera frugiperda. The receptors of the invention further include those derived from the Coleopteran super family and particularly from the species Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The recombinant DNA and polypeptides so provided are useful in the identification and design of novel Bt toxin receptor ligands including novel or improved insecticidal toxins for use in a variety of agricultural applications. Materials and methods for identifying novel toxins are also disclosed herein. The invention also provides methods for selecting toxins to combine to control insect populations by manipulating Bt toxin receptor.

Apparatus and methods of fabrication and use of highly effective laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes including for electrochemical sensing and catalysis. One example is a sensitive and label-free laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode functionalized for a specific application. One example of functionalization with antibodies, an enzyme, or an ionophore to electrochemically quantify a target species The LIG electrodes were produced by laser induction on film having a carbon precursor (e.g. polyimide) in ambient conditions, and hence circumvent the need for high-temperature, vacuum environment, and metal seed catalysts commonly associated with graphene-based electrodes fabricated via chemical vapor deposition processes. These results demonstrate how LIG-based electrodes can be used for electrochemical sensing in general. Other examples of applications include, but are not limited to, ion-sensing, pesticide monitoring and detection, and water splitting, using the LIG-based electrode(s) adapted for those purposes.

Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

The biological functionality of living microbial spores is modified using phenotypic engineering to endow the resulting modified spores with novel functionality that extends the usefulness of the spores for a variety of practical applications including, for example, sterility testing, the release of active compounds, and cell-based biosensing systems. An embodiment entails engineering Bacillus spores to acquire synthetic new functions that enable the modified spores to sense and rapidly transduce specific germination signals in their surroundings. The newly acquired functions allow the spores to perform, for example, as self-reporters of cellular viability, self-indicating components of cell-based biosensors, and in other analytical systems. Also disclosed are methods for testing adequate sterility of a system by using engineered spores.

The present invention provides a system for monitoring a sterilization procedure. The system includes a sterilization unit for providing sterilization of at least one item, a biological indicator for producing a readable signal, the signal readable during the sterilization procedure, wherein the signal corresponds to the viability of the biological indicator and a reader for reading the signal from the biological indicator during the sterilization procedure for monitoring the sterilization real time. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for monitoring sterilization featuring simultaneously exposing at least one item to be sterilized and a biological indicator to a sterilization medium, the biological indicator producing a measurable signal corresponding to its viability and simultaneously monitoring the signal from the biological indicator during the exposure to the sterilization medium to determine completion of effective sterilization of the at least one item.

Embodiments described herein may be useful in the detection of analytes. The systems and methods may allow for a relatively simple and rapid way for detecting analytes such as chemical and/or biological analytes and may be useful in numerous applications including sensing, food manufacturing, medical diagnostics, performance materials, dynamic lenses, water monitoring, environmental monitoring, detection of proteins, detection of DNA, among other applications. For example, the systems and methods described herein may be used for determining the presence of a contaminant such as bacteria (e.g., detecting pathogenic bacteria in food and water samples which helps to prevent widespread infection, illness, and even death). Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may not have the drawbacks in current detection technologies including, for example, relatively high costs, long enrichment steps and analysis times, and/or the need for extensive user training. Another advantageous feature provided by the systems and methods described herein includes fabrication in a relatively large scale. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may be used in conjunction with a detector including handheld detectors incorporated with, for example, smartphones (e.g., for the on-site detection of analytes such as pathogenic bacteria).

A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a resistive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.

Targeted antimicrobials are described and related, compositions, methods and systems.

Provided are: a screening method suited for screening for a blood IgA production inhibitor, a blood IgA production promoting agent, or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent against diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood; an inhibitor of blood IgA production; and a promoting agent of blood IgA production. Also, provided are: a method suited for controlling the amount of IgA in the blood; a method for assessing the risk, severity, or state of diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood; and a method for presenting, at least one selected from enteric bacteria to be removed and enteric bacteria to be administered, in order to prevent or treat diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood.