There is an increased demand for real-time monitoring of biological and biochemical processes. While most sensor research focuses on physiological conditions, less has been done towards developing real-time biosensors that can operate in and survive exposure to extreme environments and harsh chemicals such as fuel. One interesting application is monitoring microbial load in fuel tanks to prevent both fuel spoilage and biocorrosion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArtificial riboswitches are engineered to regulate gene expression in response to a variety of non-endogenous small molecules and, therefore, can be useful tools to reprogram cellular behavior for different applications. A new synthetic riboswitch can be created by linking an in vitro-selected aptamer with a randomized expression platform followed by in vivo selection and screening. Here, we describe an in vivo selection and screening technique to discover artificial riboswitches in E.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPoisoning by organophosphate nerve agents can induce seizures which rapidly become refractory to treatment and result in brain damage. Current therapies have only a narrow time frame for effective administration after poisoning. 5-HT1A agonists were tested for efficacy in mice against a seizure-producing combination of the carboxylesterase inhibitor 2-(o-cresyl)-4H-1:3:2-benzodioxaphosphorin-2-oxide (CBDP) and sarin, producing an LD20-40.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF