Devices and methods incorporate mucolytic agents into a point-of-care testing device. The sample is loaded, and then the sample travels until it encounters one or more lysis agents and/or mucolytic agents. The mucolytic agent is preferably pre-loaded onto the collection device. In a preferred embodiment, the mucolytic agent is localized between the sample application zone and the conjugate zone. In embodiments with a sample compressor, one or more mucolytic agents may be pre-loaded and dried on the sample compressor, the sample collector, in various locations on the test strip, or in the running buffer.

Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, kits comprising the same, and uses thereof. Such microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, or the kits comprising the same can bind or capture of a microbe or microbial matter thereof, and can thus be used in various applications, such as diagnosis or treatment of an infection caused by microbes in a subject or any environmental surface.

The present disclosure relates to biofragment compositions that comprise bioparticle fragments and at least one heterologous antigen-binding molecule. In some embodiments, the biofragment is typically derived from a larger, intact bioparticle that express the at least one heterologous antigen-binding molecule at the surface, and the biofragment has increased solubility to facilitate assays for antigen detection. The disclosure also relates the related methods of using and making the biofragment compositions, as well as systems and devices implementing the biofragment compositions. In some embodiments, the related methods, systems and devices do not require additional detection reagents, such as animal derived detection antibodies.

The invention provides populations of isolated peptides useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Anaplasma antigens. The peptide populations comprise peptides derived from immunogenic fragments of the Anaplasma Outer Membrane Protein proteins. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising the populations of isolated peptides useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Anaplasma antigens and the diagnosis of anaplasmosis. Methods of identifying the particular Anaplasma species infecting a subject using the peptide populations of the invention are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for determining pathogens and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens in a sample are provided.

A device for determining presence or absence of infection due to an infectious agent is described. The device comprises a sample receiving zone configured to receive a liquid sample from a subject suspected of having an infection due to an infectious agent, the sample receiving zone positioned to distribute the sample along a first fluid flow path to a first label zone and along a second fluid flow path to a second label zone. Test lines in each fluid flow path capture a mobile detectable species as an indicator of presence or absence of the infectious agent. The device also comprises a reference line positioned in the one of the fluid flow paths. The bidirectional fluid flow paths emanate from a common sample zone and provide an efficient approach to detection and differentiate two species as indicators of the same infectious agent or as indicators of two different infectious agents.

Air flow systems, devices and methods for monitoring airborne agents include airborne agent collectors. Airborne agent collectors for collecting and detecting the presence and/or identification of an airborne agent(s) include a soluble and hydrophilic polycaprolactone (PCL) that has been treated with a base having a pH greater than 8 and in some embodiments, also treated with a neutralizing agent for increasing hydrophilicity. Detection and identification of airborne agents captured by an airborne agent collector can be performed using any suitable analytical protocols. Such protocols include nucleic acid assays, protein assays, and bioassays. The airborne agent collectors can be used for the detection and identification of nucleic acid from cells or organisms of any type in fixed structures and in mobile, portable devices or machines.

The present invention relates to a biosensor for detecting the presence and/or measuring the concentration of at least one biological agent, comprising a support on which a barcode is disposed, at least one area of which is functionalised by at least one aptamer capable of selectively immobilising said biological agent, said aptamer per se being directly or indirectly bonded to a pigment molecule capable either of producing colour, or of changing colour following the immobilisation of the biological agent by said aptamer.

The invention provides a sialidase enzyme activity detection kit or device comprising: (i) an indicator molecule comprising a sialylated peptide and a capture site; (ii) a capture zone comprising capture molecules; and (iii) binding molecules capable of binding to the de-sialylated derivative of the indicator molecule. Also provided are methods of using the kits or devices, as well as specific indicator molecules and specific binding molecules.

A method of assessing whether a candidate subject is suitable for probiotic treatment is disclosed. The method comprises determining a signature of the gut microbiome of the candidate subject, wherein when the signature of the microbiome of the candidate subject is statistically significantly similar to a signature of a gut microbiome of a control subject known to be responsive to probiotic treatment, it is indicative that the subject is suitable for probiotic treatment.