Fabricated biofilm storage device

A method of fabricating a biofilm storage device comprising the steps of:

• applying a biologic material to a substrate with a contacting surface, wherein optionally the contacting surface promotes uniform alignment of the biologic material on the contacting surface;
• and
• allowing the formation of a stable film which is stable at room temperature for at least seven weeks.

A kit for fabricating a biofilm storage device comprising:

• a container;
• and
• a storage film comprising a biologic material which is stable at room temperature for at least 7 weeks.

A hybrid fabricated film storage device comprising:

• a substrate comprising a surface;
• and
• a biologic material applied to the surface to form a biologically stable thin film, wherein the film further comprises an inorganic material.

A viral film fabricated for use as a storage device comprising phage particles in a stable film, wherein the film is stable at room temperature for at least 7 weeks.

A method of forming a viral film comprising:

• preparing a concentrated suspension of viral phage particles in a solvent;
• removing solvent so that the phage particles form a film under conditions wherein the film is stable at room temperature for at least 7 weeks.

A self-supporting film for use as a storage device comprising one or more biological materials, wherein the film is stable for at least six months.

The film according to claim ill, wherein the one or more biological materials is self-assembled to form a thin film on the contacting surface of a substrate.

A method for improving the stability and long term activity of a biofilm storage device comprising the step of including a storage solution in the biofilm storage device which improves the stability and long term activity of the biofilm storage device.

A method to visualize the structure and function of a biological material used as a biofilm storage device, comprising the step of monitoring light properties of the biological material.

A method of forming viral thin films for a storage device which retain the ability of the viral particles to infect a bacterial host, comprising the step of removing solvent from a concentrated suspension of viral particles to form the viral thin film on a substrate, wherein the viral particles retain infecting ability for a bacterial host based on measurement of titer numbers after at least seven weeks.

A storage device comprising liquid crystalline viral film comprising anisotropic viral particles which are in the chiral smectic C phase.

A method of making a storage device comprising the step of casting a film of viral particles under concentration conditions which provide for a chiral smectic C phase in the film.

A storage device comprising a viral film which has been selected to bind streptavidin protein units.

A method of forming a storage device comprising providing a phage display library and by panning to select phage which specifically bind to streptavidin.