The present invention relates to use of an Anaplasma phagocytophilum protein APH1384 as diagnostic antigen for granulocytic anaplasmosis. The protein can remedy the drawback of missed detection of an existing diagnostic antigen P44 for granulocytic anaplasmosis, improve sensitivity of detection for granulocytic anaplasmosis, and facilitate rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis of granulocytic anaplasmosis.

Devices and methods for characterization of samples are provided. Samples may comprise one or more analytes. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device. Some methods described herein include performing mobilization of analytes. Analytes may then be further processed and characterized.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to compositions, systems and methods of screening one or more species of polypeptide in a complex mixture of polypeptides, e.g., multi-subunit proteins. For example, the subject matter relates to ligands used in connection with affinity capillary electrophoresis, as well as methods and systems for detecting polypeptides in a mixture of multimers that include multispecific antibodies, e.g., bispecific antibodies.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to compositions, systems and methods of screening one or more species of polypeptide in a complex mixture of polypeptides, e.g., multi-subunit proteins. For example, the subject matter relates to ligands used in connection with affinity capillary electrophoresis, as well as methods and systems for detecting polypeptides in a mixture of multimers that include multispecific antibodies, e.g., bispecific antibodies.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

Articles and methods for the active transport of molecules into, within, and/or from a matrix are generally described. In some embodiments, an electric field may be used to alter the position of the molecule with respect to the matrix. The electric field may be used to move the molecule to a new location within the matrix, remove the molecule from the matrix, or infuse the molecule into the matrix. For instance, the electric field may be used to move a molecule having a binding partner within the matrix into or away from the vicinity of the binding partner. In some embodiments, the position of the molecule may be altered by exposing the molecule to an electrodynamic field. In some such embodiments, the molecule exposed to the dynamic electric field may have enhanced mobility and minimal adverse matrix interactions relative to conventional molecular transport methods, and in some cases, a molecule exposed to an electrostatic field. The active transport methods and articles, described herein, may be particularly well-suited for a variety of applications including histological, biological, and pharmaceutical applications.

A system comprising a protein and a channel. The channel has a domain that binds a membranal component. The channel is configured to carry a liquid sample to an isotachophoresis (ITP) apparatus. The liquid sample comprising or suspected of comprising a cell, a cell membrane or a fraction of a cell membrane. The ITP apparatus comprises a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is configured to contain a solution of high effective mobility leading electrolyte (LE) ion. The second zone is configured to contain a solution of low effective mobility trailing electrolyte (TE) ion. The first zone and the second zone are configured to be operably connected to at least one anode and at least one cathode.

Electrophoretic systems, formulations and methods are described which allow a user to perform electrophoresis experiments under conditions of high voltage and with reduced run time. An electrophoretic system, formulation or method may be run at 50% higher field strength than comparable systems already in use in the art. The presently described systems and formulations may be run at voltages above 225 V, above 250 V, above 275 V, above 300 V, above 325 V or above 350 V. The time required for performing an electrophoresis experiment may be reduced to less than about 30 minutes, less than about 20 minutes, less than about 15 minutes or less than about 12 minutes.

The invention encompasses methods and test strips for detecting the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a biological sample with a lateral flow device which uses lectin conjugates, anti-antigen conjugates, an immobilized serum line, and an immobilized anti-antigen line.