Biomarkers for identifying Johne's disease in cattle are presented herein, as are related methods, uses, agents, and kits comprising same. Methods for treating, detecting, quarantining, and diagnosing Johne's disease in cattle are presented herein.

The invention provides novel peptide binders for streptavidin (SA), Taq polymerase and several human proteins: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), thrombin, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF), and Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator (uPA).

A method is provided for an in vitro detection of a first protein in a sample, including the steps of: a) separating the sample by a native separation method; b) transferring the separated sample onto a membrane; c) contacting the membrane with an aptamer which specifically binds to the first protein; and d) detecting the first protein by detecting the aptamer bound to the first protein.

Embodiments described herein include detecting an analyte in a low pH sample. Some embodiments include detection of multiple analytes in a sample utilizing a plurality of analyte binders and a control zone containing multiple control zone capture agents. In some embodiments, the multiple control zone capture agents capture a plurality of binders within one control zone.

The invention comprises systems, methods and arrays for identification and optimization of novel peptide binders to protein targets. Embodiments include steps of peptide binder discovery, core peptide maturation, N-terminal and C-terminal extension and kinetics analysis of the final peptide binder.

Methods and compositions related to pharmaceutical agents, pharmaceutical compositions, and solid dosage forms comprising animal hemoglobin and bacteria or agents of bacterial origin are provided herein.

The invention comprises systems, methods and arrays for identification and optimization of novel peptide binders to protein targets. Embodiments include steps of peptide binder discovery, core peptide maturation, N-terminal and C-terminal extension and kinetics analysis of the final peptide binder.

The invention concerns novel streptavidin muteins. In one embodiment such a mutein

(a) contains two or more mutations in the region of the amino acid positions 117 to 121 with reference to the amino acid sequence of wild type streptavidin of which amino acid residues 14 to 139 are as set forth at SEQ ID NO:212 and
(b) has a higher binding affinity than each of
(i) a streptavidin mutein 1 (SEQ ID NO: 16) that comprises the amino acid sequence Val44-Thr45-Ala46-Arg47 (SEQ ID NO: 98), or
(ii) wild type-streptavidin of which amino acid residues 14 to 139 are shown as SEQ ID NO: 212
for peptide ligands comprising the amino acid sequence Trp-Ser-His-Pro-Gln-Phe-Glu-Lys (SEQ ID NO: 100).

Some embodiments of the invention include a kit and a device for detecting activated bifidobacteria. Methods of making and using the kit and/or device are also described herein.

The invention concerns novel streptavidin muteins. In one embodiment such a mutein (a) contains at least one mutation in the region of the amino acid positions 115 to 121 with reference to the amino acid sequence of wild type streptavidin as set forth at SEQ ID NO: 15 and (b) has a higher binding affinity than each of (i) a streptavidin mutein that comprises the amino acid sequence Val44-Thr45-Ala46-Arg47 (SEQ ID NO: 98), or (ii) a streptavidin mutein that comprises the amino acid sequence He44-Gly45-Ala46-Arg47 (SEQ ID NO: 99) at amino acid positions 44 to 47, or (iii) wild type-streptavidin (SEQ ID NO: 15) for peptide ligands comprising the amino acid sequence Trp-Ser-His-Pro-Gln-Phe-Glu-Lys (SEQ ID NO: 100).