The present disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to botulinum neurotoxins (e.g., BoNT/A, BoNT/B, BoNT/C, BoNT/D, BoNT/E, BoNT/F, BoNT/G, etc.) and the epitopes bound by those antibodies. The antibodies and derivatives thereof that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used to neutralize botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment of botulism.

Provided are VHH or nanobodies that specifically bind to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitory factor (Cif), and uses thereof for diagnosis and treatment of Pseudomonas infection.

Methods of diagnosing infections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of each of the polypeptides TRAIL, CRP, IP10 and at least one additional polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-6 and PCT.

Described is a biosensor for detection of analytes and methods of using the same for detecting bacterial infection in a subject. The biosensor comprises an array of gold nanoparticles, biotinylated polyethylene glycol thiol, polyethylene glycol thiol, at least one neutravidin molecule, and at least one affinity reagent immobilized on a surface of the at least one neutravidin molecule. The affinity reagent may be an aptamer or a siderophore. The biosensors demonstrate extraordinary selectively and sensitivity for rapid detection of whole-cell bacteria.

Antibiotics (Abx) are the worlds most misused drugs. Antibiotics misuse occurs when the drug is administered in case of a non-bacterial infection (such as a viral infection) for which it is ineffective. Overall, it is estimated that 40-70% of the worldwide Abx courses are mis-prescribed. The financial and health consequences of Abx over-prescription include the direct cost of the drugs, as well as the indirect costs of their side effects, which are estimated at >$15 billion annually. Furthermore, over-prescription directly causes the emergence of Abx-resistant strains of bacteria, which are recognized as one of the major threats to public health today. This generates an immediate need for reliable diagnostics to assist physicians in correct Abx prescription, especially at the point-of-care (POC) where most Abx are prescribed. Accordingly, some aspects of the present invention provide methods using biomarkers for rapidly detecting the source of infection and administrating the appropriate treatment.

A testing system and test cartridge for analyzing a sample of water from a water source for specific analyte levels. The test cartridge including a membrane filter that captures a target analyte while allowing a labelled conjugate to permeate through the membrane. The conjugate includes an analyte-specific labelled binding reagent to bind with the target analyte for optical detection. The direct membrane interrogation (i.e., on-filter detection), determines analyte levels without elution of the analyte from a filter thereby improving analyte recovering and assay sensitivity.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for testing blood samples to determine the presence and type of a blood stream infection (BSI). In one embodiment, the composition is a lysis reagent or composition that comprises betaine hydrochloride, spermidine, saponin, and Triton® X-100. The methods include combining the lysis reagent with the blood sample, and at least one centrifuge step to isolate the micro-organisms that cause the BSI. The micro-organisms are kept viable so that diagnostic tests can be run on the blood samples after the various method steps are performed.

The disclosure relates to metal nanoparticle compositions and their methods of formation and use, in particular gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Compositions according to the disclosure include aqueous suspensions of metal nanoparticles that are stabilized with one or more carbohydrate capping agents and/or that are functionalized with one or more binding pair members for capture/detection of a target analyte. The nanoparticle suspensions are stable for extended periods and can be functionalized as desired at a later point in time, typically prior to use in an assay for the detection of a target biological analyte. The stable nanoparticle suspension can be formed by the aqueous reduction of oxidized metal precursors at non-acidic pH values in the presence of a carbohydrate-based capping agent such as dextrin or other oligosaccharides.

Disclosed are an optical interferometry apparatus for detection of dielectric nanoparticles and a method for enhancing visibility of the nanoparticles. An imaging system for detection of dielectric nanoparticles includes at least one light source for illumination, a detector array or a camera for image capture, an objective lens, a sample substrate and a computing unit. The sample substrate is capable of carrying sub-wavelength particles smaller than the diffraction resolution limit of the imaging system, and the imaging system includes a movable means which moves the sample substrate in the axial direction such that depthwise different images are captured at different axial distances from the sample substrate to the objective lens. The computing unit computes a correlation image using the depth images wherein the sub-wavelength particles become resolvable and appear with higher contrast in the correlation image.

The present invention provides a Mitrecin A polypeptide useful in prevention and treatment of one or more bacteria. Also provided is a method to kill or prevent growth of one or more bacteria comprising contacting the one or more bacteria with a Mitrecin A polypeptide. The target bacteria can be selected from the group consisting of a Gram-positive bacterium, a Gram-negative bacterium, or both. In one embodiment, the present invention is drawn to a polynucleotide encoding a Mitrecin A polypeptide, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a host cell comprising the polynucleotide, or a composition comprising the Mitrecin A polypeptide, the polynucleotide, the vector, or the host cell.