Compact Low-Power Interfacing and Data Reduction for Floating Active Intracortical Neural Probes with Modular Architecture.

Host connectivity for invasive, high-density neural probes that integrate all the circuits needed for insitu digitization of brain activity in the shank requires a thin and conformal cable. To minimize tissue damage during insertion or from micro-movements during chronic use, the wiring must be constrained in size with a low number of interconnects. Reducing the number of traces results in thinner and more flexible cables and allows the data rate to be increased by using wider traces.

Temporally precise labeling and control of neuromodulatory circuits in the mammalian brain.

Few tools exist to visualize and manipulate neurons that are targets of neuromodulators. We present iTango, a light- and ligand-gated gene expression system based on a light-inducible split tobacco etch virus protease. Cells expressing the iTango system exhibit increased expression of a marker gene in the presence of dopamine and blue-light exposure, both in vitro and in vivo.

Small-Molecule CD4-Mimics: Structure-Based Optimization of HIV-1 Entry Inhibition.

The optimization, based on computational, thermodynamic, and crystallographic data, of a series of small-molecule ligands of the Phe43 cavity of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been achieved. Importantly, biological evaluation revealed that the small-molecule CD4 mimics (4-7) inhibit HIV-1 entry into target cells with both significantly higher potency and neutralization breadth than previous congeners, while maintaining high selectivity for the target virus. Their binding mode was characterized via thermodynamic and crystallographic studies.