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Split Aptamer Catalytic Sensor for Detecting Viral Nucleic Acids

Posted in Computational & Integrative Biology, SPARK! 2026

Author: Nishat Jahan | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: Hemin/DNA aptamers can catalyze the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated oxidation of various chemical compounds. For instance, hemin/G-quadruplex (G4) complexes convert Amplex Red into fluorescent product resorufin, enabling fluorescence-based detection. Due to their high catalytic efficiency, hemin-binding DNA aptamers have been extensively explored for biosensing applications, particularly in the… continue reading

How Spiders Attach their Webs to Water.

Posted in Computational & Integrative Biology, SPARK! 2026

Author: Ravi Schwartz | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: A common orb web is designed to capture prey with precariously slender elements of extremely strong material. Its function is likewise dependent on the quality of its anchoring the radial dragline ends to external objects, which take the form of “attachment disks” of slenderer threads painted with… continue reading

Prediction of Binding Affinity for Protein–Peptide Systems Using SE(3)-Equivariant Neural Networks

Posted in Computational & Integrative Biology, SPARK! 2026

Author: Aditya Birla | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: Accurate prediction of binding free energy (ΔG) for protein–peptide complexes remains a challenging problem due to the high dimensionality and geometric complexity of molecular interactions. We propose an energy-based framework leveraging SE(3) equivariance to ensure rotational and translational consistency in learned representations. Protein (receptor) and peptide (ligand)… continue reading

Incarcerated Individuals used as slave labor

Posted in Criminal Justice, SPARK! 2026

Author: Karema Griffin | Criminal JusticeAbstract: The use of incarcerated people as low- or unpaid labor contributes to economic gain while disproportionately keeping Black individuals in jails and prisons for longer periods. The Thirteenth Amendment permits the use of incarcerated people for labor, even though many argue the focus should instead be on rehabilitation and… continue reading

Troubling the Canonical Waters: Interrogating the Importance of Classic Children’s Literature

Posted in Childhood Studies, SPARK! 2026

Author: Nicholas Markellos | Childhood StudiesAbstract: Over the last fifty years, much research has been conducted indicating the importance of reading to childhood development. Studies have shown that exposure to reading and children’s literature aids with childhood success in early education, as well as social and cultural development. In addition, it has been argued that… continue reading

DNA-mediated plasmonic nanoparticle tethering to render macromolecular assemblies photosensitive to pulsed laser irradiation

Posted in Computational & Integrative Biology, SPARK! 2026

Author: Regina Salzer | Computational and Integrative BiologyAbstract: The ability to control macromolecular assemblies with light would be transformative for a number of applications such as nanocarriers and drug delivery. Light, specifically pulsed laser irradiation, is an ideal stimulus due to its biocompatibility and high spatiotemporal control. Plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs), such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs),… continue reading