In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., listeria bacterium, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as listeria bacteria, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

The invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and diagnosing sexually transmitted infections using a string of epitopes (SOE) specific for detection of causative microorganisms. The antigenic epitopes may be single epitope sequences, a plurality of epitope sequences joined by repeats of glycine (-GG-) and/or lysine (-KK-) to form a series of epitopes (SOE), or nucleotide sequences encoding one or more SOEs and host cells harboring said SOE nucleotide sequences. SOEs specific for highly immunogenic regions of proteins from Trichomonas, Treponema and Neisseria species are provided. SOEs to detect the presence of trichomonas species comprise regions from Trichomonas-sptciric aldolase, GAPDH, a-enolase and a-actinin proteins. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising SOEs can also be used as vaccines or to elicit an immune response to specific microorganisms.

A method and kit for for determining of an effective concentration of an antimicrobial agent for inhibiting bacterial growth are provided. The method and kit involve the use of a first and second multiwell receptacle. A fluid sample containing or suspected to contain one or more microbial organisms is dispensed into the wells of the first multiwell receptacle containing a range of dilutions of an antimicrobial agent, growth medium and a bacteriophage to form assay mixtures in the wells. The assay mixtures are then transferred to the corresponding wells of the second multiwell receptacle for detection.

The present disclosure relates to the field of immunoassays for Gram negative bacteria, in particular N. meningitidis. The disclosure provides a simple and affordable immunoassay to quantitate polysaccharides in meningococcal vaccines for the evaluation of antigen content and lot-to-lot manufacturing consistency. The inventors have found a Sandwich ELISA that can be applicable for the quantitation and identification of N. meningitidis serogroup X polysaccharide in a multivalent meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine as well as in a multivalent meningococcal plain polysaccharide vaccine. Said assay employs a polyclonal antibody as capture antibody and a novel monoclonal antibody against serogroup X polysaccharide as detection antibody. Further the assay is rapid, robust and reproducible.

Detection and quantification of microbial colonization and biofilm formation on orthopedic explants would be important for deciding treatment interventions at the time of surgery. Methods and Systems for such treatments are shown that utilize various steps and kits to quickly generate confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) images to allow for the detection and quantification. The explants are prepared by applying antibodies of both gram-positive and grain-negative for at least one period of time.

The present invention relates to Neisseria ORF2086 proteins, crossreactive immunogenic proteins which can be isolated from nesserial strains or prepared recombinantly, including immunogenic portions thereof, biological equivalents thereof, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to the foregoing and nucleic acid sequences encoding each of the foregoing, as well as the use of same in immunogenic compositions that are effective against infection by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

Methods and compositions for detecting and diagnosing sexually transmitted infections using a string of epitopes (SOE) specific for detection of causative microorganisms are provided. The antigenic epitopes may be single epitope sequences, a plurality of epitope sequences joined by amino acid linkers to form a series of epitopes (SOE), or nucleotide sequences encoding one or more SOEs and host cells harboring said SOE nucleotide sequences. SOEs specific for highly immunogenic regions of proteins from Trichomonas, Treponema and Neisseria species are provided. SOEs to detect the presence of trichomonas species comprise regions from Trichomonas aldolase, GAPDH, -enolase and 60 -actinin proteins. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising SOEs can also be used as vaccines or to elicit an immune response to specific microorganisms.

Methods and compositions useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders are based on septapeptides and extended forms thereof (or portions thereof) that exhibit chemokine activity with respect to microglial cell precursors.

The present disclosure includes multiplexed systems, methods, devices, and kits for detecting status of one or more health conditions in a single device. It includes an extraction container for receiving a sample and extracting a target material from the sample; a testing container with at least a first and second well containing one or more buffers for receiving the extracted target material, and a signal output device including a housing containing two or more strips, each strip containing a) a loading zone; b) a reaction zone; c) a testing zone; and d) a control zone. The system and methods can be adapted for assessment of sexual health of one or more subjects, in relation to pregnancy, fertility, and/or sexually transmitted infections caused by one or more agents.

The present invention relates to proteins derived from Acinetobacter baumanii, nucleic acids encoding the proteins, antibodies specific for the proteins as well as methods of therapy, prophylaxis, and diagnosis that utilise the proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies.