Search

The function, structure, and mechanical properties of protein materials make them well-suited for a range of applications such as biosensors and biomaterials. Unlike in traditional polymer synthesis, their sequences are defined and, in the case of recombinant proteins, dictated by the chosen DNA sequence. As DNA synthesis has rapidly progressed over the past twenty years, the limiting bottleneck in protein materials development is the empirical optimization of protein expression. Herein, a low-cost, automated, high-throughput, combinatorial protein expression platform is developed to test permutations of DNA vectors and Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains in a 96-well plate format. Growth and expression are monitored with optical density at 600 nm (OD600) to measure growth, Bradford assays to establish the total protein concentration, and dot blot assays to determine the concentration of the protein of interest. With an eye toward accessibility for researchers without suites of biosynthetic equipment, automated camera-based assays are validated for the OD600 assay, via turbidimetry, and the Bradford assay, via colorimetry. High-yield expression conditions can be determined within a week. Notably, in several cases, previously un-expressible proteins are expressed successfully in viable yields. Collectively, an efficient approach to overcoming long-running synthesis challenges in protein materials development is established, which will expedite materials innovation.

The periodical cicadas of North America (Magicicada spp.) are well-known for their long life cycles of 13 and 17 years and their mass synchronized emergences. Although periodical cicada life cycles are relatively strict, the biogeographic patterns of periodical cicada broods, or year-classes, indicate that they must undergo some degree of life cycle switching. We present a new map of periodical cicada Brood V, which emerged in 2016, and demonstrate that it consists of at least four distinct parts that span an area in the United States stretching from Ohio to Long Island. We discuss mtDNA haplotype variation in this brood in relation to other periodical cicada broods, noting that different parts of this brood appear to have different origins. We use this information to refine a hypothesis for the formation of periodical cicada broods by 1- and 4-year life cycle jumps.

Includes lengthy biographical notes about harpist & educator Carolyn Mills., Series LXI, Number 96., This archival material has been provided for educational purposes. Ball State University Libraries recognizes that some historic items may include offensive content. Our statement regarding objectionable content is available at: https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/about

Includes lengthy biographical notes about harpist & educator Carolyn Mills., Series LXI, Number 96., This archival material has been provided for educational purposes. Ball State University Libraries recognizes that some historic items may include offensive content. Our statement regarding objectionable content is available at: https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/about