BATS

Date/Time:

Oct 11, 2019 - 12:00 PM

Location:

Hosts:

Bevin Engelward

Speaker:

Title:

Real-time, Programmable Detection of Nucleic Acid Sequences in Living Cells

Abstract:

Nucleic acid sequence can provide information about cell state and biological activity in the environment. Existing detection methods are incompatible with living cells. We propose to detect intracellular nucleic acid sequences by two orthogonal dCas13s that bind adjacent RNA sites and thus induce an intein-mediated release of a sigma factor. Integration of this sensor with a DNA uptake pathway native to Bacillus subtilis could enable detection of environmental DNA for purposes such as pathogen or resistancegene monitoring.

Speaker:

Title:

Producing Bird-inspired Melanin- and Peptide-based Photonic Materials

Abstract:

Mother Nature has constructed intricate photonic materials that are not achievable through traditional chemistry and materials science. Birds’ melanin-keratin structure is a prime example. With slight structural modifications, these structures can create a variety of colors and iridescences. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to understand and predict the formation of these structures. The goal is to move beyond the natural structures offered by biology and to be able to create new materials with desired optical properties.