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Bacterial infections are one of the major causes of surgical implant inefficiency and failure. Herein, we present a Nanocomposite (NC) produced by the addition of Poly(N-vinyl carbazole)-Graphene Oxide dispersion (PVK-GO) as a nanofiller to a commercial photopolymer acrylate resin and 3D printed as coatings via the Digital Light Processing technique. Characterization and bioassay results against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus confirmed the elevated thermomechanical properties and efficient antibacterial activity of the printed NC-based coatings. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the fabrication and optimization of a PVK-GO-based NC and its potential utilization as a 3D-printable material for biomedical applications.

Understanding the relationship between structure and function for biological assemblies can guide identification of new therapeutics, design of biomaterials, and development of biotechnological processes. Resonant X-ray scattering provides a chemically-specific approach to characterize complex biological structures based on anomalous or resonant scattering from a specific element or chemical moiety. Anomalous or resonant diffraction can provide structural details with high atomic resolution, while resonant X-ray scattering can provide structural details with lower resolution through tender or soft X-rays. Furthermore, we review applications, challenges, and opportunities for resonant X-ray scattering in the field of structural biology.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman Spectroscopy have rich histories in the analysis of a wide variety of samples in both in situ and remote configurations. Our team is working on building a deployable, integrated Raman and LIBS spectrometer (RLS) for the parallel elucidation of elemental and molecular signatures under Earth and Martian surface conditions. Herein, results from remote LIBS and Raman analysis of biological samples such as amino acids, small peptides, mono- and disaccharides, and nucleic acids acquired under terrestrial and Mars conditions are reported, giving rise to some interesting differences. A library of spectra and peaks of interestmore » were compiled, and will be used to inform the analysis of more complex systems, such as large peptides, dried bacterial spores, and biofilms. Lastly, these results will be presented and future applications will be discussed, including the assembly of a combined RLS spectroscopic system and stand-off detection in a variety of environments.« less

Trait-based microbial models show clear promise as tools to represent the diversity and activity of microorganisms across ecosystem gradients. These models parameterize specific traits that determine the relative fitness of an “organism” in a given environment, and represent the complexity of biological systems across temporal and spatial scales. In this study we introduce a microbial community trait-based modeling framework (MicroTrait) focused on nitrification (MicroTrait-N) that represents the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) using traits related to enzyme kinetics and physiological properties.We used this model to predict nitrifier diversity, ammonia (NH3) oxidation rates, and nitrousmore » oxide (N2O) production across pH, temperature, and substrate gradients. Predicted nitrifier diversity was predominantly determined by temperature and substrate availability, the latter was strongly influenced by pH. The model predicted that transient N2O production rates are maximized by a decoupling of the AOB and NOB communities, resulting in an accumulation and detoxification of nitrite to N2O by AOB. However, cumulative N2O production (over 6 month simulations) is maximized in a system where the relationship between AOB and NOB is maintained.When the reactions uncouple, the AOB become unstable and biomass declines rapidly, resulting in decreased NH3 oxidation and N2O production. We evaluated this model against site level chemical datasets from the interior of Alaska and accurately simulated NH3 oxidation rates and the relative ratio of AOA:AOB biomass. The predicted community structure and activity indicate (a) parameterization of a small number of traits may be sufficient to broadly characterize nitrifying community structure and (b) changing decadal trends in climate and edaphic conditions could impact nitrification rates in ways that are not captured by extant biogeochemical models.« less