A method for rapidly and highly sensitively measuring endotoxin relies on an endotoxin-measuring agent, which includes a factor C derived from Tachypleus tridentatus that does not have His-tag sequence at the C-terminus, a factor B of a horseshoe crab, and a proclotting enzyme of a horseshoe crab. Each of these proteins can be a recombinant protein obtainable by being expressed using a stably expressing cell line of an insect cell as a host.

A centripetal microfluidic platform comprised of a microfluidics disc and a reader for testing LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. The microfluidic disc may comprise at least two testing areas wherein each testing area includes a reservoir portion for receiving at least one fluid sample. The disc may comprise a distribution network portion in fluid communication with the reservoir portion. Each distribution network portion may comprise a distribution network of at least four (4) channels, wherein each channel has a metering portion and at least one analysis chamber portion. The analysis chamber portion may comprise a mixing chamber for mixing samples and reagents and an optical chamber portion that is compatible with an optical reader. The metering portion may be sized to meter an aliquot of the fluid sample for analysis in the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber portion has at least one reagent isolated therein. The centripetal microfluidic platform further includes a reader for testing fluid samples within a microfluidic disc comprising an enclosure, an optical bench, a centripetal disc drive, and a controller. A method for testing at least one fluid sample for LAL-reactive substances is also provided.

Peptides and conjugates are described herein, including peptides having antimicrobial and/or anticancer properties, as are compositions, articles, and kits comprising such peptides and conjugates, and methods for using the peptides and conjugates.

Described are a number of aptamers that are specific to bind with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and associated methods.

Described are a number of aptamers that are specific to bind with peptidoglycan (“PGN”) with specificity over counter-targets lipopolysaccharides (“LPS”) and lipoteichoic acid (“LTA”), and associated methods.

Provided are a method of screening an inhibitor of caspase activity by lipopolysaccharide and a method of screening a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases or sepsis using the same. Accordingly, it is possible to develop a caspase-4-specific inhibitor.

The invention relates to a method for preparation of a sample (10) of a formulation (11) for subsequent endotoxin determination, the formulation (11) suspected of comprising an endotoxin, the formulation (11) preferentially being a pharmaceutical formulation. The method comprises the following steps: application of the sample (10) to an endotoxin-free centrifugation column (2) containing a size exclusion chromatography matrix (5) that has been equilibrated with a suitable equilibration buffer (6) and elution of a flow through (15) of the sample by centrifugation, which flow through (15) can then be used for endotoxin determination. The equilibration buffer (6) is selected according to a subsequently used method of endotoxin determination, the equilibration buffer (6) only containing components not interfering with subsequently used method of endotoxin determination. Furthermore, the invention relates to a kit (20) for preparation of a sample (10).

The present invention is related to a method of detecting an endotoxin in a sample using a chromogenic assay, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a reagent comprising limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) and a chromogenic substrate; and (b) measuring a chromogenic effect resulting from a change in the chromogenic substrate in the presence of endotoxin in the sample; wherein the LAL is substantially free of coagulogen. The method also relates to compositions and kits comprising LAL substantially free of coagulogen, and methods of making such.

The present invention provides a novel serotype determination method for E. coli and the like which is not subject to the limitations of indirect methods such as antigen-antibody reaction and gene analysis.

For example, provided is a method of determining a serotype of E. coli, comprising the following steps 1 to 3: 1. a step of selecting a first peak group consisting of a plurality of peaks which are successively and repeatedly detected at equal intervals in a spectrum obtained by performing a mass spectrometry on a sample containing an antigenic site obtained from a microbial specimen of a determination subject, and then obtaining a difference in m/z value between adjacent peaks of the first peak group as a peak interval actual measurement m/z value of the first peak group, p0 2. a step of collating the peak interval actual measurement m/z value of the first peak group with a separately obtained m/z value for the basic structure corresponding to a specific serotype, and 3. a step of determining the specific serotype corresponding to the separately obtained m/z value for the basic structure consistent with the peak interval actual measurement m/z value of the first peak group, as a serotype of the microorganism, from the result of the above-mentioned collation step.

The present invention is related to a method of detecting an endotoxin in a sample using a chromogenic assay, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a reagent comprising limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) and a chromogenic substrate; and (b) measuring a chromogenic effect resulting from a change in the chromogenic substrate in the presence of endotoxin in the sample; wherein the LAL is substantially free of coagulogen. The method also relates to compositions and kits comprising LAL substantially free of coagulogen, and methods of making such.