The invention provides multi-function instruments for automatically and simultaneously carrying out a variety of tests including identification of targets in specimens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing thereof. Application-specific cartridges are pre-loaded with all required reagents and allow for tests to be performed in a single testing device with no specimen preparation to, for example, rapidly detect infections, identify infectious pathogens, and analyze their susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents. Instruments include various stations for carrying out test steps that can be randomly accessed in any order dictated by the computer-controlled instrument. A carousel stores and incubates cartridges and, with a mechanical conveyor arm, transfers the cartridges between the required stations to carry out the tests. A plurality of different tests may be performed on a plurality of targets within an instrument, and the plurality of targets may be disposed in a single cartridge.

Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

The present invention uses microfluidics droplets for studying the growth dynamics of communities of bacteria in the presence of various perturbations such as various chemicals or other microorganisms and to establish microbial assemblies model which is representative of a microbiota of interest and to examine their growth dynamics after perturbations such as with an array of chemicals or other microorganisms. In particular, the present invention refers to a method and apparatus for assessing the effect of a chemical or biological substance on the growth of microorganisms.

The present invention uses microfluidics droplets for studying the growth dynamics of communities of bacteria in the presence of various perturbations such as various chemicals or other microorganisms and to establish microbial assemblies model which is representative of a microbiota of interest and to examine their growth dynamics after perturbations such as with an array of chemicals or other microorganisms. In particular, the present invention refers to a method and apparatus for assessing the effect of a chemical or biological substance on the growth of microorganisms.

An imaging system and method provides automated microbial growth detection for antibiotic sensitivity testing. A processing system having an image sensor for capturing images of an inoculated culture plate having antibiotic disks disposed on the culture media captures images of the plate at separate times (e.g., first and second images). The system generates pixel characteristic data for pixels of the second image from a comparison of the first image and second image. The pixel characteristic data may be indicative of plate growth. The system may access growth modeling data concerning the antibiotic disk(s) and generate simulated image data with a growth model function. The growth model function uses the growth modeling data. The simulated image data simulates growth on the plate relative to the disk(s). The system compares the simulated image and the pixel characteristic data to identify pixel region(s) of the second image that differ from the simulated image.

An imaging system and method provides automated microbial growth detection for antibiotic sensitivity testing. A processing system having an image sensor for capturing images of an inoculated culture plate having antibiotic disks disposed on the culture media captures images of the plate at separate times (e.g., first and second images). The system generates pixel characteristic data for pixels of the second image from a comparison of the first image and second image. The pixel characteristic data may be indicative of plate growth. The system may access growth modeling data concerning the antibiotic disk(s) and generate simulated image data with a growth model function. The growth model function uses the growth modeling data. The simulated image data simulates growth on the plate relative to the disk(s). The system compares the simulated image and the pixel characteristic data to identify pixel region(s) of the second image that differ from the simulated image.

Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

A platform and method for conducting multi-variable combinational interactions are provided. An array of multiplexing chambers in formed in a body. The body also includes a common well communicating with each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers and a plurality of variable wells. Each of variable wells communicates with at least one multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers. The common well is loaded with a first variable and different variables are loaded in each of the plurality of variable wells. The interaction of the first variable with at least one of the different variables in each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers is observed.