A novel approach to interrogating the effects of chemical warfare agent exposure using organ-on-a-chip technology and multiomic analysis.

Organ-on-a-chip platforms are utilized in global bioanalytical and toxicological studies as a way to reduce materials and increase throughput as compared to in vivo based experiments. These platforms bridge the infrastructure and regulatory gaps between in vivo animal work and human systems, with models that exemplify active biological pathways. In conjunction with the advent of increased capabilities associated with next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry based '-omic' technologies, organ-on-a-chip platforms provide an excellent opportunity to investigate the global changes at multiple biological levels, including the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome.

A Rapid, Whole Genome Sequencing Assay for Detection and Characterization of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Clinical Specimens Using Nanopore Sequencing.

A new human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China that caused a range of disease severities; including fever, shortness of breath, and coughing. This disease, now known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), quickly spread throughout the world, and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March of 2020. As the disease continues to spread, providing rapid characterization has proven crucial to better inform the design and execution of control measures, such as decontamination methods, diagnostic tests, antiviral drugs, and prophylactic vaccines for long-term control.

Putative Phenotypically Neutral Genomic Insertion Points in Prokaryotes.

The barriers to effective genome editing in diverse prokaryotic organisms have been falling at an accelerated rate. As editing becomes easier in more organisms, quickly identifying genomic locations to insert new genetic functions without disrupting organism fitness becomes increasingly useful. When the insertion is noncoding DNA for applications such as information storage or barcoding, a neutral insertion point can be especially important.

A ribosomal operon database and MegaBLAST settings for strain-level resolution of microbiomes.

Current methods to characterize microbial communities generally employ sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (<500 bp) with high accuracy (∼99%) but limited phylogenetic resolution. However, long-read sequencing now allows for the profiling of near-full-length ribosomal operons (16S-ITS-23S rRNA genes) on platforms such as the Oxford Nanopore MinION. Here, we describe an rRNA operon database with >300 ,000 entries, representing >10 ,000 prokaryotic species and ∼ 150, 000 strains.

Rapid Visual Authentication Based on DNA Strand Displacement.

Novel ways to track and verify items of a high value or security is an ever-present need. Taggants made from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) have several advantageous properties, such as high information density and robust synthesis; however, existing methods require laboratory techniques to verify, limiting applications. Here, we leverage DNA nanotechnology to create DNA taggants that can be validated in the field in seconds to minutes with a simple equipment.

Impact of Porous Matrices and Concentration by Lyophilization on Cell-Free Expression.

Cell-free expression systems have drawn increasing attention as a tool to achieve complex biological functions outside of the cell. Several applications of the technology involve the delivery of functionality to challenging environments, such as field-forward diagnostics or point-of-need manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. To achieve these goals, cell-free reaction components are preserved using encapsulation or lyophilization methods, both of which often involve an embedding of components in porous matrices like paper or hydrogels.

Quantification of Interlaboratory Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Variability.

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) platforms, once primarily a research tool to produce difficult to express proteins, are increasingly being pursued by the synthetic biology community for applications including biomanufacturing, rapid screening systems, and field-ready sensors. While consistency within individual studies is apparent in the literature, challenges with reproducing results between laboratories, or even between individuals within a laboratory, are discussed openly by practitioners. As the field continues to grow and move toward applications, a quantitative understanding of expected variability for CFPS and the relative contribution of underlying sources will become increasingly important.

Tracking a serial killer: Integrating phylogenetic relationships, epidemiology, and geography for two invasive meningococcal disease outbreaks.

Background: While overall rates of meningococcal disease have been declining in the United States for the past several decades, New York City (NYC) has experienced two serogroup C meningococcal disease outbreaks in 2005-2006 and in 2010-2013. The outbreaks were centered within drug use and sexual networks, were difficult to control, and required vaccine campaigns.

Methods: Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was used to analyze preserved meningococcal isolates collected before and during the two outbreaks.

Use of Unamplified RNA/cDNA-Hybrid Nanopore Sequencing for Rapid Detection and Characterization of RNA Viruses.

Nanopore sequencing, a novel genomics technology, has potential applications for routine biosurveillance, clinical diagnosis, and outbreak investigation of virus infections. Using rapid sequencing of unamplified RNA/cDNA hybrids, we identified Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and Ebola virus in 3 hours from sample receipt to data acquisition, demonstrating a fieldable technique for RNA virus characterization.

Pathosphere.org: pathogen detection and characterization through a web-based, open source informatics platform.

Background: The detection of pathogens in complex sample backgrounds has been revolutionized by wide access to next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. However, analytical methods to support NGS platforms are not as uniformly available. Pathosphere (found at Pathosphere.

Whole-Genome Sequencing in Microbial Forensic Analysis of Gamma-Irradiated Microbial Materials.

Effective microbial forensic analysis of materials used in a potential biological attack requires robust methods of morphological and genetic characterization of the attack materials in order to enable the attribution of the materials to potential sources and to exclude other potential sources. The genetic homogeneity and potential intersample variability of many of the category A to C bioterrorism agents offer a particular challenge to the generation of attributive signatures, potentially requiring whole-genome or proteomic approaches to be utilized. Currently, irradiation of mail is standard practice at several government facilities judged to be at particularly high risk.