Medical University of South Carolina

Anindya Chanda

Sourav Banerjee

Jamie R Lead

Methods for inhibiting fungal secondary metabolisms are described. Secondary metabolisms inhibited by the methods can include those responsible for expression of mycotoxins such as aflatoxin. Methods can include inhibition of aflatoxin production without inhibiting fungal growth by contacting a fungus with a suspension including silver nanoparticles that can include a surface coating. The methods can be utilized in preventing fungal-caused destruction of plant species (e.g., crop species). Disclosed methods encompass utilization of silver nanoparticles at low concentrations of from about 10 picograms per liter to about 1 microgram per liter.

Growth-independent inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis with selected nanoparticles

Methods for ultrasonically imaging a heterogeneous 3D-cell population without physically probing are provided. The method can comprises: pulsing ultrasound waves having a wave frequency of about 10 MHz to about 2 GHz through a lens rod, wherein the lens rod focuses the ultrasound waves onto the cell population via a concave lens-head (e.g., comprising sapphire), and wherein the cell population is positioned on the reflective surface such that the ultrasound waves are reflected back to the lens-head; receiving the reflected waves through the lens head and the lens rod at a signal receiver; scanning the lens-head across multiple points in the x,y plane; and at each point in the x,y plane, moving the lens-head in a z-direction such that a signal is received at multiple intervals in the z-direction for each point in the x,y plane.

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Lexington, SC, United States of America

Anindya Chanda