Methods and composition related to the engineering of a novel protein with methionine-γ-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-γ-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

A composition and method for identifying a microbial composition that inhibits colonization of an enteric pathogen in an animal is disclosed. The method includes removing a microbial sample from a digestive tract of at least one healthy individual, culturing the microbial sample, isolating one or more microbial species within the microbial sample, and identifying one or more isolated microbial species. The method further includes determining one or more bile-tolerant properties of the one or more isolated microbial species, and creating one or more microbial compositions of the one or more isolated microbial species that are bile-tolerant. The method further includes determining an ability of the one or more microbial compositions to inhibit growth of an enteric pathogen in at least one of an assay, and identifying one or more microbial compositions from the one or more microbial compositions capable of inhibiting growth of enteric pathogens in an animal.

The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses to test for E. coli in liquid samples. The apparatus includes a paper strip having a hydrophobic area at one end and a reaction area at the other end.

The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses to test for E. coli in liquid samples. The apparatus includes a paper strip having a hydrophobic area at one end and a reaction area at the other end.

Provided is a non-invasive method for diagnosing colorectal cancer in a subject by detecting enrichment or reduction of certain bacterial species. A kit and device useful for such methods are also provided. In addition, a method for reducing the risk of colon cancer by regulating the pertinent bacterial species in human colon is also provided.

This disclosure relates to methods of determining quantification conditions for a microorganism and methods of quantifying microorganism concentration in a sample.

This disclosure relates to methods of determining quantification conditions for a microorganism and methods of quantifying microorganism concentration in a sample.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for rapid detection of microorganisms such as bacteria in a sample. A genetically modified bacteriophage is also disclosed which comprises an indicator gene encoding one subunit of an indicator protein. The specificity of the bacteriophage allows detection of a particular bacteria of interest and an indicator signal may be amplified to optimize assay sensitivity.