@article {2273,
	title = {Discovery of a body-wide photosensory array that matures in an adult-like animal and mediates eye-brain-independent movement and arousal.},
	journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A},
	volume = {118},
	year = {2021},
	month = {2021 May 18},
	abstract = {<p>The ability to respond to light has profoundly shaped life. Animals with eyes overwhelmingly rely on their visual circuits for mediating light-induced coordinated movements. Building on previously reported behaviors, we report the discovery of an organized, eye-independent (extraocular), body-wide photosensory framework that allows even a head-removed animal to move like an intact animal. Despite possessing sensitive cerebral eyes and a centralized brain that controls most behaviors, head-removed planarians show acute, coordinated ultraviolet-A (UV-A) aversive phototaxis. We find this eye-brain-independent phototaxis is mediated by two noncanonical rhabdomeric opsins, the first known function for this newly classified opsin-clade. We uncover a unique array of dual-opsin-expressing photoreceptor cells that line the periphery of animal body, are proximal to a body-wide nerve net, and mediate UV-A phototaxis by engaging multiple modes of locomotion. Unlike embryonically developing cerebral eyes that are functional when animals hatch, the body-wide photosensory array matures postembryonically in "adult-like animals." Notably, apart from head-removed phototaxis, the body-wide, extraocular sensory organization also impacts physiology of intact animals. Low-dose UV-A, but not visible light (ocular-stimulus), is able to arouse intact worms that have naturally cycled to an inactive/rest-like state. This wavelength selective, low-light arousal of resting animals is noncanonical-opsin dependent but eye independent. Our discovery of an autonomous, multifunctional, late-maturing, organized body-wide photosensory system establishes a paradigm in sensory biology and evolution of light sensing.</p>
},
	issn = {1091-6490},
	doi = {10.1073/pnas.2021426118},
	author = {Shettigar, Nishan and Chakravarthy, Anirudh and Umashankar, Suchitta and Lakshmanan, Vairavan and Palakodeti, Dasaradhi and Gulyani, Akash}
}
@article {2327,
	title = {Engineered RNA biosensors enable ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection in a simple color and luminescence assay.},
	journal = {Life Sci Alliance},
	volume = {4},
	year = {2021},
	month = {2021 12},
	abstract = {<p>The continued resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple variants underlines the need for diagnostics that are adaptable to the virus. We have developed toehold RNA-based sensors across the SARS-CoV-2 genome for direct and ultrasensitive detection of the virus and its prominent variants. Here, isothermal amplification of a fragment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA coupled with activation of our biosensors leads to a conformational switch in the sensor. This leads to translation of a reporter protein, for example, LacZ or nano-lantern that is easily detected using color/luminescence. By optimizing RNA amplification and biosensor design, we have generated a highly sensitive diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting as low as 100 copies of viral RNA with development of bright color. This is easily visualized by the human eye and quantifiable using spectrophotometry. Finally, this PHAsed NASBA-Translation Optical Method (PHANTOM) using our engineered RNA biosensors efficiently detects viral RNA in patient samples. This work presents a powerful and universally accessible strategy for detecting COVID-19 and variants. This strategy is adaptable to further viral evolution and brings RNA bioengineering center-stage.</p>
},
	keywords = {Biosensing Techniques, COVID-19, Humans, Luminescence, Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques, RNA, RNA, Viral, SARS-CoV-2},
	issn = {2575-1077},
	doi = {10.26508/lsa.202101213},
	author = {Chakravarthy, Anirudh and Nandakumar, Anirudh and George, Geen and Ranganathan, Shyamsundar and Umashankar, Suchitta and Shettigar, Nishan and Palakodeti, Dasaradhi and Gulyani, Akash and Ramesh, Arati}
}
