Described herein are improved diagnostic tools for veterinary and human use which can be used for serodiagnosing A. platys in mammals, particularly in members of the Canidae family and in humans. The diagnostic tools are a group of outer membrane proteins of A. platys and variants thereof, referred to hereinafter as the OMP proteins, a group of outer membrane proteins of A. platys and variants thereof referred to hereinafter as the P44 proteins, and antibodies to the OMP proteins and the P44 proteins.

Provided herein is a method and system for analyzing a sample. In some embodiments the method makes use of a plurality of capture agents that are each linked to a different oligonucleotide and a corresponding plurality of labeled nucleic acid probes, wherein each of the labeled nucleic acid probes specifically hybridizes with only one of the oligonucleotides. The sample is labeled with the capture agents en masse, and sub-sets of the capture agents are detected using iterative cycles using corresponding subsets of the labeled nucleic acid probes.

Provided herein is a method and system for analyzing a sample. In some embodiments the method makes use of a plurality of capture agents that are each linked to a different oligonucleotide and a corresponding plurality of labeled nucleic acid probes, wherein each of the labeled nucleic acid probes specifically hybridizes with only one of the oligonucleotides. The sample is labeled with the capture agents en masse, and sub-sets of the capture agents are detected using iterative cycles using corresponding subsets of the labeled nucleic acid probes.

Chimeric proteins are expressed, secreted or released by a bacterium to immunize against or treat a parasite, infectious disease or malignancy. The delivery vector may also be attenuated, non-pathogenic, low pathogenic, or a probiotic bacterium. The chimeric proteins include chimeras of, e.g., phage coat and/or colicin proteins, bacterial toxins and/or enzymes, autotransporter peptides, lytic peptides, multimerization domains, and/or membrane transducing (ferry) peptides. The active portion of the immunogenic chimeric proteins can include antigens against a wide range of parasites and infectious agents, cancers, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, and have enhanced activity when secreted or released by the bacteria, and/or have direct anti-parasite or infectious agent activity. The activity of the secreted proteins is further increased by co-expression of a protease inhibitor that prevents degradation of the effector peptides. Addition of an antibody binding or antibody-degrading protein further prevents the premature elimination of the vector and enhances the immune response.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for dispensing or assaying biofluid samples as well as a system for dispensing and assaying biofluid. One embodiment of the biofluid sample dispensing apparatus comprises a set of reservoirs and cavities, each reservoir comprising an inlet for receiving biofluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a peripheral barrier surrounding the outlet for containing the biofluid sample within a cavity residing within said reservoir, a valve disposed at the outlet for releasably sealing the biofluid sample, as well as an overflow outlet to limit the predetermined volume of biofluid sample. An apparatus for assaying biofluid comprises a receptacle for housing cuvettes, a receptacle sealing element for sealing engagement between the receptacle and a biofluid sample dispensing apparatus for sealing the cuvettes and an automated system connected to receptacle for performing an assay process.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for dispensing or assaying biofluid samples as well as a system for dispensing and assaying biofluid. One embodiment of the biofluid sample dispensing apparatus comprises a set of reservoirs and cavities, each reservoir comprising an inlet for receiving biofluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a peripheral barrier surrounding the outlet for containing the biofluid sample within a cavity residing within said reservoir, a valve disposed at the outlet for releasably sealing the biofluid sample, as well as an overflow outlet to limit the predetermined volume of biofluid sample. An apparatus for assaying biofluid comprises a receptacle for housing cuvettes, a receptacle sealing element for sealing engagement between the receptacle and a biofluid sample dispensing apparatus for sealing the cuvettes and an automated system connected to receptacle for performing an assay process.

The present invention relates to screening methods and, in particular, to methods of screening anti-ligand libraries for identifying anti-ligands specific for differentially and/or infrequently expressed ligands. The method comprises the steps of providing a library of anti-ligands: providing a first subtractor ligand; providing a second target ligand; determining the amount of the first and second target ligands using one or more equations derived from the universal law of mass action; providing the determined amount of a first subtractor ligand; providing the determined amount of a second target ligand; providing separation means capable of use to isolate anti-ligand bound to the second target ligand from anti-ligand bound to the first subtractor ligand; exposing the library of to the first and second target ligands to permit binding of anti-ligands to ligands; and using the separation means to isolate the anti-ligand bound to second target ligand.

The present invention relates to screening methods and, in particular, to methods of screening anti-ligand libraries for identifying anti-ligands specific for differentially and/or infrequently expressed ligands. The method comprises the steps of providing a library of anti-ligands: providing a first subtractor ligand; providing a second target ligand; determining the amount of the first and second target ligands using one or more equations derived from the universal law of mass action; providing the determined amount of a first subtractor ligand; providing the determined amount of a second target ligand; providing separation means capable of use to isolate anti-ligand bound to the second target ligand from anti-ligand bound to the first subtractor ligand; exposing the library of to the first and second target ligands to permit binding of anti-ligands to ligands; and using the separation means to isolate the anti-ligand bound to second target ligand.

A eukaryotic expression vector capable of displaying a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a host cell is provided, such that the biological activity of the multi-chain polypeptide is exhibited at the surface of the host cell. Such a vector allows for the display of complex biologically active polypeptides, e.g., biologically active multi-chain polypeptides such as immunoglobulin Fab fragments. The present invention describes and enables the successful display of a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a eukaryotic host cell. Preferred vectors are described for expressing the chains of a multi-chain polypeptide in a host cell separately and independently (e.g., under separate vector control elements, and/or on separate expression vectors, thus forming a matched vector set). The use of such matched vector sets provides flexibility and versatility in the generation of eukaryotic display libraries, for example the ability to generate and to display multi-chain polypeptides by combining and recombining vectors that express variegations of the individual chains of a multi-chain polypeptide. Entire repertoires of novel chain combinations can be devised using such vector sets.

A eukaryotic expression vector capable of displaying a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a host cell is provided, such that the biological activity of the multi-chain polypeptide is exhibited at the surface of the host cell. Such a vector allows for the display of complex biologically active polypeptides, e.g., biologically active multi-chain polypeptides such as immunoglobulin Fab fragments. The present invention describes and enables the successful display of a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a eukaryotic host cell. Preferred vectors are described for expressing the chains of a multi-chain polypeptide in a host cell separately and independently (e.g., under separate vector control elements, and/or on separate expression vectors, thus forming a matched vector set). The use of such matched vector sets provides flexibility and versatility in the generation of eukaryotic display libraries, for example the ability to generate and to display multi-chain polypeptides by combining and recombining vectors that express variegations of the individual chains of a multi-chain polypeptide. Entire repertoires of novel chain combinations can be devised using such vector sets.