A microbe-specific medium, containing specific chromogenic substrates, for the detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a biological sample, whereby both the detection and identification of vancomycin-resistant enterococci at the species level is achieved utilizing one sample and one test.

Certain embodiments are directed to paper/polymer hybrid microfluidic devices integrated with nano-biosensors for pathogen detection and infectious disease diagnosis.

The subject invention provides materials and methods that effectively support innate immunity and/or disperse pathogenic biofilms using readily available, nontoxic, natural substances, while supporting restoration of normal microbiotic homeostasis. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides anti-biofilm compositions comprising one or more probiotic organisms, anti-microbial honey, and other ingredients such as prebiotic compounds, other hive products, green tea derivatives, other plant derivatives, and vitamin D3.

Provided is a method of producing a culture product of a microorganism, for obtaining a culture product excellent in anti-inflammatory property in which a ratio between the production amounts of IL-10 and IL-12 (ratio of IL-10/IL-12) is large. Specifically, provided is a method of producing a culture product of Lactobacillus plantarum, including culturing Lactobacillus plantarum using a medium containing an unsaturated fatty acid ester until a time point at or before an end of a logarithmic growth phase, to thereby obtain a culture product of Lactobacillus plantarum. The unsaturated fatty acid ester is an ester formed through a reaction between a monovalent or polyvalent unsaturated fatty acid and a polyhydric alcohol, or a derivative of the ester. A preferred example of the unsaturated fatty acid ester is a monooleic acid ester.

The present invention relates to methods of enhancing the potency of incretin-based drugs in subjects in need thereof. Through different animal models, the inventors identified that a specific gut microbiota signature impairs GLP-1-activated gut-brain axis which could be transferred to germ free mice. The dysbiotic gut microbiota induces enteric neuropathy, reduces GLP-1 receptor and nNOS mRNA concentration, GLP-1-induced nitric oxide production for the control of insulin secretion and gastric emptying. The frequency of Lactobacilli in the ileum microbiota was tightly correlated with nMOS mRNA concentration, which is a mode of action of GLP-1, of the enteric nervous system opening a novel route for the improvement of GLP-1 based therapies in type 2 diabetic patients. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of enhancing the potency of an incretin-based drug administered to a diabetic subject as part of a treatment regimen.

Methods and systems for identifying and/or forming a synthetic ensemble, synthetic bioensemble, and/or Endomicrobial Supplement (EMS) are disclosed. Methods of making synthetic microbial ensembles to inhibit bacterial fowl pathogen colonization in the gastrointestinal tract of fowl are disclosed. Method for modulating the alpha and/or beta diversity in the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract of fowl is disclosed

The subject invention provides materials and methods that effectively support innate immunity and/or disperse pathogenic biofilms using readily available, nontoxic, natural substances, while supporting restoration of normal microbiotic homeostasis. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides anti-biofilm compositions comprising one or more probiotic organisms, anti-microbial honey, and other ingredients such as prebiotic compounds, other hive products, green tea derivatives, other plant derivatives, and vitamin D3.

The present invention relates to a prebiotic composition comprising a microbially produced oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide is characterized by being selective for a pre-determined probiotic bacterial strain and also capable of being produced by the pre-determined probiotic bacteria by reverse enzyme action. The present invention also relates to methods of screening a composition suitable for use as a prebiotic and methods for screening of prebiotics for incorporation into synbiotic formulations.

The present invention relates to a biomarker of predicting or diagnosing female genital disease or obesity. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition for predicting or diagnosing risk of female genital disease or obesity, including detecting Prevotella spp., Sneathia spp. Megasphaera spp., Gardnerella spp., and Lactobacillus spp.

Provided herein are methods for administering pharmaceutical compositions comprising bacterial populations and methods for obtaining samples from subjects administered with the pharmaceutical compositions. Further provided are methods for assaying bacteria, compounds, markers, any derivatives thereof, or any combinations thereof. The reagents, kits, systems, or any combinations thereof for carrying out the same are also provided.