659 research outputs found
Historical Accounts of the Esveldt Family and Pete Esvelt presentation
This document consists of a published history of the Esveldt family with the transcript of a presentation by Pete Esvelt about his family\u27s history digitally appended to the end.
The Esveldt family immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands, eventually settling in northeastern Washington. The work consists largely of the memoir of John P. Esvelt II written in two parts. The first, labelled Narrative 1 , tells the family story from immigration through John\u27s early childhood. Narrative 2 continues the story through 1963. The history contains details of the family\u27s life on farms in Dartford and Colville, with some details on their relation with area American Indians. The appended presentation by Pete Esvelt focuses more on the family\u27s relationship with American Indians.
The family genealogy that appears at the end of the Esveldt family history has been removed from this version. A print copy with the genealogy is available at the Eastern Washington University Archives and Special Collections.https://dc.ewu.edu/spc_pubs/1011/thumbnail.jp
Spokane Wastewater Study
This publication is a study of the City of Spokane\u27s wastewater system commissioned by the City of Spokane.https://dc.ewu.edu/spc_pubs/1007/thumbnail.jp
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Genome-scale engineering for systems and synthetic biology
Genome-modification technologies enable the rational engineering and perturbation of biological systems. Historically, these methods have been limited to gene insertions or mutations at random or at a few pre-defined locations across the genome. The handful of methods capable of targeted gene editing suffered from low efficiencies, significant labor costs, or both. Recent advances have dramatically expanded our ability to engineer cells in a directed and combinatorial manner. Here, we review current technologies and methodologies for genome-scale engineering, discuss the prospects for extending efficient genome modification to new hosts, and explore the implications of continued advances toward the development of flexibly programmable chasses, novel biochemistries, and safer organismal and ecological engineering
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Phage Resistance Is Not Impeded by the DNA Modifications of Phage T4
Bacteria rely on two known DNA-level defenses against their bacteriophage predators: restriction-modification and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems. Certain phages have evolved countermeasures that are known to block endonucleases. For example, phage T4 not only adds hydroxymethyl groups to all of its cytosines, but also glucosylates them, a strategy that defeats almost all restriction enzymes. We sought to determine whether these DNA modifications can similarly impede CRISPR-based defenses. In a bioinformatics search, we found naturally occurring CRISPR spacers that potentially target phages known to modify their DNA. Experimentally, we show that the Cas9 nuclease from the Type II CRISPR system of Streptococcus pyogenes can overcome a variety of DNA modifications in Escherichia coli. The levels of Cas9-mediated phage resistance to bacteriophage T4 and the mutant phage T4 gt, which contains hydroxymethylated but not glucosylated cytosines, were comparable to phages with unmodified cytosines, T7 and the T4-like phage RB49. Our results demonstrate that Cas9 is not impeded by N6-methyladenine, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylated cytosine, or glucosylated 5-hydroxymethylated cytosine
Complete Genome Sequences of T4-Like Bacteriophages RB3, RB5, RB6, RB7, RB9, RB10, RB27, RB33, RB55, RB59, and RB68
T4-like bacteriophages have been explored for phage therapy and are model organisms for phage genomics and evolution. Here, we describe the sequencing of 11 T4-like phages. We found a high nucleotide similarity among the T4, RB55, and RB59; RB32 and RB33; and RB3, RB5, RB6, RB7, RB9, and RB10 phages
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Operability test report for the mobile color camera system (MCCS)
This supporting document is the Operational Test Procedure for the Mobile Color Camera System (MCCS). This is a purged camera for temporary in-tank video use in Hanford waste tanks
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Concerning RNA-guided gene drives for the alteration of wild populations
Gene drives may be capable of addressing ecological problems by altering entire populations of wild organisms, but their use has remained largely theoretical due to technical constraints. Here we consider the potential for RNA-guided gene drives based on the CRISPR nuclease Cas9 to serve as a general method for spreading altered traits through wild populations over many generations. We detail likely capabilities, discuss limitations, and provide novel precautionary strategies to control the spread of gene drives and reverse genomic changes. The ability to edit populations of sexual species would offer substantial benefits to humanity and the environment. For example, RNA-guided gene drives could potentially prevent the spread of disease, support agriculture by reversing pesticide and herbicide resistance in insects and weeds, and control damaging invasive species. However, the possibility of unwanted ecological effects and near-certainty of spread across political borders demand careful assessment of each potential application. We call for thoughtful, inclusive, and well-informed public discussions to explore the responsible use of this currently theoretical technology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03401.00
Can large language models democratize access to dual-use biotechnology?
Large language models (LLMs) such as those embedded in 'chatbots' are
accelerating and democratizing research by providing comprehensible information
and expertise from many different fields. However, these models may also confer
easy access to dual-use technologies capable of inflicting great harm. To
evaluate this risk, the 'Safeguarding the Future' course at MIT tasked
non-scientist students with investigating whether LLM chatbots could be
prompted to assist non-experts in causing a pandemic. In one hour, the chatbots
suggested four potential pandemic pathogens, explained how they can be
generated from synthetic DNA using reverse genetics, supplied the names of DNA
synthesis companies unlikely to screen orders, identified detailed protocols
and how to troubleshoot them, and recommended that anyone lacking the skills to
perform reverse genetics engage a core facility or contract research
organization. Collectively, these results suggest that LLMs will make
pandemic-class agents widely accessible as soon as they are credibly
identified, even to people with little or no laboratory training. Promising
nonproliferation measures include pre-release evaluations of LLMs by third
parties, curating training datasets to remove harmful concepts, and verifiably
screening all DNA generated by synthesis providers or used by contract research
organizations and robotic cloud laboratories to engineer organisms or viruses.Comment: 6 pages, 0 figure
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