Conceptual Mindworks, Inc.

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Other

Eric A Holwitt

Johnathan Lloyd Kiel

Jill E Parker

Mark A Sloan

Jeevalatha Vivekananda

John G Bruno

Harvey A Schwertner

John L Alls

David N Erwin

Jonathan L Kiel

Melanie Woitaske

Shelly D Roper

Veronica Franz Sorola

Maomian Fan

Michael (Maomian) Fan

Amanda Tijerina

Charles R Batishko

Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for making and using aptamers, for example, DNA aptamers (DCEs) and/or RNA aptamers. In some embodiments, methods relate to making and amplifying target DCEs. In certain embodiments, methods for making capture elements or aptamers concern using a reporter moiety and signal reducing moiety prior to amplifying a target-specific capture element. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of aptamers such as DCEs directed to a particular target agent. Some embodiments relate to systems for performing automated generation of aptamers.

Methods and compositions for processes of rapid selection and production of nucleic acid aptamers

The solutions provided here use DNA aptamers and quantum dots for the detection of bacteria, viruses, proteins or other targets. An example of a method described here comprises: providing a complex of DNA complementary strands, one strand being an aptamer, having one strand covalently linked to a quantum dot, and having the other strand linked to a quencher; and contacting the complex of DNA complementary strands with a microorganism or components thereof, under conditions that permit binding of the aptamer with the microorganism or components thereof.

Using DNA aptamers and quantum dots for the detection of proteins or other targets

Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.

Compositions, methods and uses for biosynthetic plasmid integrated capture elements

The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source. In preferred embodiments, the methods, compositions and apparatus are used for neutralizing anthrax spores.

Methods for neutralizing anthrax or anthrax spores

Methods and compositions for neutralizing anthrax and other bioagents

Novel methods for the synthesis of 8-nitroguanine are provided. Compositions comprising 8-nitroguanine, made by the novel synthetic methods are also provided herein. Methods of use of 8-nitroguanine, made by the novel synthetic methods, as a standard for detection of 8-nitroguanine in samples are also encompassed within the scope of the present invention. The present invention further concerns methods of predicting organ transplant rejection and detecting exposure to environmental stressors, such as ionizing radiation, toxic chemicals or infectious agents, by detecting 8-nitroguanine in one or more samples from a transplant recipient or an organism exposed to stress.

Compositions and methods of use of 8-nitroguanine

In a recognition complex system, nucleic acid ligands comprising random DNA sequences are operatively coupled to an organic semiconductor and distributed so as to form an array of recognition complexes. When an unknown chemical or biological analyte is applied to the array, the electrical and/or photochemical properties of one or more of the recognition complexes are altered upon binding of the nucleic acid ligand to the analyte. The degree to which the electrical and/or photochemical properties change is a function of the affinity of the nucleic acid ligand sequence for the analyte. The electrical and photochemical changes associated with the array, as a whole, can be used as a unique signature to identify the analyte. In certain embodiments, an iterative process of selection and amplification of nucleic acid ligands that bind to the analyte can be used to generate a new array with greater affinity and specificity for a target analyte, or to produce one or more nucleic acid ligands with high binding affinity for an analyte. The present invention also provides methods for preparing nucleic acid ligands that bind with high affinity to an analyte and using such nucleic acid ligands to neutralize the analyte.

Organic semiconductor recognition complex and system

There is provided a method for producing diazoluminomelanin (DALM) which comprises culturing in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) and luminol under suitable metabolic conditions, a microorganism containing nitrate reductase. Also provided is a method for directly detecting microorganisms containing nitrate reductase or those into which nitrate reductase can be introduced by recombinant DNA technology, which comprises culturing the microorganism in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) and luminol under suitable metabolic conditions, transferring the medium to a microtiter plate or tube coated with antibody or an antiligand to which the microorganism would specifically bind, washing the plate or tube and activating luminescence. Further, there is provided a method for producing diazomelanin (DM) which comprises culturing in a medium containing nitrate and 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) under suitable metabolic conditions, a microorganism containing nitrate reductase. Yet further, there is provided a method for directly detecting microorganisms containing nitrate reductase or those into which nitrate reductase can be introduced by recombinant DNA technology, which comprises culturing the microorganism in a medium containing nitrate and 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) under suitable metabolic conditions, transferring the medium to a microtiter plate or tube coated with antibody or an antiligand to which the microorganism would specifically bind, washing the plate or tube, adding luminol and activating luminescence.

Biosynthesis of diazomelanin and diazoluminomelanin and methods thereof

An article which is sensitive to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the radiofrequency radiation range, consisting essentially of a substrate, a layer of a binder material and a layer of activated diazoluminomelanin. This article is prepared by coating at least one surface of a substrate with a binder, immersing the binder-coated substrate into a solution comprising luminol, 3AT and a soluble nitrite for a period of about 2 to 12 days to provide a layer of diazoluminomelanin (DALM) on the binder layer, removing the DALM-coated film from the solution and rinsing the same, activating the DALM with sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide for a period of about 2 to 12 days.

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San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Eric A Holwitt