Regions of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen are provided representing epitopes recognized by antibodies in subjects that have acquired immunity to Bacillus anthracis infection. The recognition of these epitopes correlates with autoimmunity in a subject. Also provided are vaccines that include at least one of these epitopes that when administered to a subject provide improved acquired immunity.

A label-free biochemical assay, in which label-free interrogation of a target-receptor layer is performed while the target-receptor layer is subjected to a relatively strong flow of an analyte-containing fluid. The volumetric flow rate for the assay is selected based on calibration data corresponding to the target substance, which advantageously results in fewer and/or smaller false-positive signals corresponding to non-target substances compared to those produced with the fluid being stationary. In various embodiments, the label-free interrogation method can be electro-mechanical and/or optical.

The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

The invention enables efficient, rapid, and sensitive enumeration of living cells by detecting microscopic colonies derived from in situ cell division using large area imaging. Microbial enumeration tests based on the invention address an important problem in clinical and industrial microbiologythe long time needed for detection in traditional testswhile retaining key advantages of the traditional methods based on microbial culture. Embodiments of the invention include non-destructive aseptic methods for detecting cellular microcolonies without labeling reagents. These methods allow for the generation of pure cultures which can be used for microbial identification and determination of antimicrobial resistance.

Provided are a single-stranded nucleic acid aptamer simultaneously and specifically binding to various types of microorganisms, and a method of manufacturing the nucleic acid aptamer. For example, provided are a probe that is capable of simultaneously detecting or diagnosing a variety of microorganisms, and a method of manufacturing an aptamer having characteristics of such a probe.

In this application is described a method for rapidly and accurately identifying B. anthracis in a sample by simultaneously detecting the presence of cell wall antigen and capsule antigen in the same sample culture grown under capsule inducing conditions. Other uses and advantages of the method of the invention are described herein.

Provided are compositions, devices and systems, methods for assessing, treating and/or preventing an intraocular disease or disorder in a subject, wherein the etiology of the intraocular disease or disorder comprises infection of a microorganism in the intraocular space or cavity of the subject. Provided are compositions, devices and systems, and methods for assessing, treating and/or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a subject, e.g., a human patient.

A biological indicator for determining the efficacy of an oxidative sterilization process, and its methods of use. The biological indicator comprises a set of microbial spores, at least one fluorescent sensor protein, and a culture medium, the fluorescent sensor protein being capable of yielding an optically detectable signal when the fluorescent sensor protein is not in a denatured state due to the oxidative sterilization process, and a different optically detectable signal when the fluorescent sensor protein is in a denatured state after the oxidative sterilization process.

The invention relates to identification and characterization of recombinant DNA and polypeptides for specific Bt toxin receptors. In particular, the Bt toxin receptors of the invention include those derived from the Lepidopteran super family including the species Trichoplusiani ni, Pseudoplusia includens, Helicoverpa zea, and Spodoptera frugiperda. The receptors of the invention further include those derived from the Coleopteran super family and particularly from the species Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The recombinant DNA and polypeptides so provided are useful in the identification and design of novel Bt toxin receptor ligands including novel or improved insecticidal toxins for use in a variety of agricultural applications. Materials and methods for identifying novel toxins are also disclosed herein. The invention also provides methods for selecting toxins to combine to control insect populations by manipulating Bt toxin receptor.