Apparatus and methods of fabrication and use of highly effective laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes including for electrochemical sensing and catalysis. One example is a sensitive and label-free laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode functionalized for a specific application. One example of functionalization with antibodies, an enzyme, or an ionophore to electrochemically quantify a target species The LIG electrodes were produced by laser induction on film having a carbon precursor (e.g. polyimide) in ambient conditions, and hence circumvent the need for high-temperature, vacuum environment, and metal seed catalysts commonly associated with graphene-based electrodes fabricated via chemical vapor deposition processes. These results demonstrate how LIG-based electrodes can be used for electrochemical sensing in general. Other examples of applications include, but are not limited to, ion-sensing, pesticide monitoring and detection, and water splitting, using the LIG-based electrode(s) adapted for those purposes.

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 subject matter provides glucose biosensors as well as compositions, devices, and methods comprising such biosensors.

The invention relates to the detection of biomarkers, and methods, compositions and kits for the detection of such biological markers for diagnosing various conditions, such as cancer. In particular, the invention relates to the detection of compounds as diagnostic and prognostic markers for detecting cancer, such as oesophago-gastric cancer.

To provide a method for discriminating a microorganism including: a step of subjecting a sample containing a microorganism to mass spectrometry to obtain a mass spectrum; a reading step of reading a mass-to-charge ratio m/z of a peak derived from a marker protein from the mass spectrum; and a discrimination step of discriminating which bacterial species of Escherichia coli, Shigella bacteria, and Escherichia albertii the microorganism contained in the sample contains based on the mass-to-charge ratio m/z, in which at least one of 13 ribosomal proteins S5, L15, S13, L31, L22, L19, L20, L13, S15, L25, HNS, HdeB, and L29 is used as the marker protein.

The present invention provides means and products for the stimulation of an immune response against tumors in a subject in need thereof. More specifically the invention provides immunogenic compositions containing bacterial outer membrane vesicles loaded with tumor antigens, fusion proteins comprising a bacterial protein and a tumor antigen, and isolated bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) containing said fusion proteins. The fusion proteins, OMVs and immunogenic compositions according to the invention are used in the prevention and treatment of tumors.

The present invention relates to methods of using bacterial strain 1687A6 in detecting, diagnosing and treating disease or disorders of the GI tract. The present invention also relates to modulating the immune responses of an individual by inducing Th17 cell differentiation, proliferation, or accumulation. Further, the invention relates to therapeutic compositions containing strain 1687A6 or compounds derived from it and methods for treating disease in a subject using such compositions.

Generally, this disclosure relates to expression constructs that encode a reporter enzyme-affinity binding tag fusion protein that is produced after the construct is inserted into bacteriophage and the bacteriophage infects bacteria. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is captured and produces a detectable signal. Signal intensity may correlate with the number of bacterial cells in a fluid sample. Methods of detecting bacteria using the expression constructs, and microfluidic devices for detecting bacteria using the expression constructs are also disclosed.

A particle measuring method, a sample processing method, and a particle imaging apparatus capable of efficiently acquiring information effective in pathological diagnosis or the like are provided. The particle measuring method comprises a step (S13) of labeling and amplifying, within a particle, a target nucleic acid in the particle, a step (S14) of labeling a surface target polypeptide on the surface of the particle and/or target nucleic acid different from the first target nucleic acid, and a step (S2) of measuring the labeled target nucleic acid and the labeled target polypeptide and/or other labeled target nucleic acid.

The disclosure relates to wireless detection of analytes (such as bacteria) labeled by electrically, dielectrically, or magnetically active nanoparticles, for example in quality control monitoring for food supply chain management. The disclosed apparatus includes a detection vessel or vial, a resonant sensor tag, an inductively coupled reader to induce and detect resonance in the sensor tag, and an active nanoparticle for labeling. The disclosed wireless detection apparatus and methods use active nanoparticles for the development of wireless sensor systems which can be designed to be compatible with the existing RFID technology infrastructure. For example, commercial RFID readers (e.g., hand-held) used for tracking and tracing operation can be used with the disclosed apparatus to induce and measure a corresponding resonance frequency.