An electrochemical aptasensor for Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol detection in saliva on a microfluidic platform.

We present a novel "on-off", cost-effective, rapid electrochemical aptasensor combined with a microfluidics cartridge system for the detection of Δ-THC (Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol) in human saliva via differential pulse voltammetry. The assay relied on the competitive binding between the Δ-THC and a soluble redox indicator methylene blue, using an aptamer selected via FRELEX. We found that the aptasensor can detected 1 nM of Δ-THC in PBS in a three-electrode cell system, while the sensitivity and both the dissociation constant (K) and association constant (K) were dependent on the aptamer density.

Integrating machine learning and digital microfluidics for screening experimental conditions.

Digital microfluidics (DMF) has the signatures of an ideal liquid handling platform - as shown through almost two decades of automated biological and chemical assays. However, in the current state of DMF, we are still limited by the number of parallel biological or chemical assays that can be performed on DMF. Here, we report a new approach that leverages design-of-experiment and numerical methodologies to accelerate experimental optimization on DMF.

A Synthetic Biosensor for Detecting Putrescine in Beef Samples.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are toxicological risks present in many food products. Putrescine is the most common foodborne BA and is frequently used as a quality control marker. Currently, there is a lack of regulation concerning safe putrescine limits in food as well as outdated food handling practices leading to unnecessary putrescine intake.

New Biobased Sulfonated Anionic Surfactants Based on the Esterification of Furoic Acid and Fatty Alcohols: A Green Solution for the Replacement of Oil Derivative Surfactants with Superior Proprieties.

The surfactant market represents a key sector of the chemical industry and encompasses many diverse applications. Their sustainability in terms of feedstock used, synthetic procedure, biodegradability, and formulation are crucial parameters to assessing the environmental impact of the surfactant. The anionic surfactant linear alkyl benzene sulfonates have proven successful to date because of their high performance, low cost, and extensive studies within formulations to optimize performance, allowing usage in a large variety of applications, especially in cleaning.

At Home: Place Attachment and Identity in an Italian Refugee Sample.

The central tenet of Place Attachment theory states that an individual has an inborn predisposition to form strong bonds with places as well as with people. Our qualitative study applies this theory to understand how, despite loss and adversity, refugees are able to reconstruct a sense of identity, community, and "home". Participants included 15 forcibly displaced people from different countries of origin.

Expanding the limits towards 'one-pot' DNA assembly and transformation on a rapid-prototype microfluidic device.

DNA assembly and transformation are crucial to the building process in synthetic biology. These steps are significant roadblocks when engineering increasingly complex biological systems. To address this, recent development of widespread 'biofoundry' facilities has employed automation equipment to expedite the synthetic biology workflow.

Real-Time Optogenetics System for Controlling Gene Expression Using a Model-Based Design.

Optimization of engineered biological systems requires precise control over the rates and timing of gene expression. Optogenetics is used to dynamically control gene expression as an alternative to conventional chemical-based methods since it provides a more convenient interface between digital control software and microbial culture. Here, we describe the construction of a real-time optogenetics platform, which performs closed-loop control over the CcaR-CcaS two-plasmid system in .

Integration of World-to-Chip Interfaces with Digital Microfluidics for Bacterial Transformation and Enzymatic Assays.

Digital microfluidics (DMF) represents an alternative to the conventional microfluidic paradigm of transporting fluids in enclosed channels. One of the major benefits of DMF is that fluid motion and control is achieved without external pumps. The automation component of DMF have pushed the barriers of this "lab-on-chip" technology.

Sacroiliac Joint Treatment Personalized to Individual Patient Anatomy Using 3-Dimensional Navigation.

During the past 10 years, the sacroiliac (SI) joint has evolved from being barely recognized as a source of pain, to being a joint treated only nonsurgically or with great surgical morbidity, to currently being a joint treated with minimally invasive techniques that are personalized to the individual patient. The complex 3-dimensional anatomy of the SI joint and lack of parallel to traditional imaging planes requires a thorough understanding of the structures within and around the SI joint that may be at risk of injury. Thus, the SI joint is ideally suited for intraoperative 3-dimensional imaging and surgical navigation when being treated minimally invasively.