Assays used in conjunction with a thermal contrast reader are disclosed. In the assay, the test strip includes materials that can develop a thermal response if a target analyte is present in a sample. Linear flow assays include nanoparticles with high affinity binding to the analyte. Binding of the nanoparticles with an analyte in the sample is detected using thermal contrast. Analytes over a broad range of concentrations are detected in the linear flow assays. Methods of detecting target analytes and kits comprising lateral flow assays and thermal contrast reader are also disclosed.

The present invention provides sensor cells comprising a receptor that binds to an analyte indicative of the presence of an agent, where binding of the analyte to the receptor triggers a detection event that is indicative of the presence of the agent. In certain embodiments, the detection event is appearance of a reporter detectable by the naked eye. The present invention also provides uses of such sensor cells for detecting the presence of an agent in a sample.

The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Disclosed herein are methods of detecting microbial infection in mammalian subjects comprising treatment of a sample and detection of galactofuranose (galF)-containing antigenic components utilizing monoclonal antibodies. The methods disclosed provide for pretreatment of biological samples, such as urine samples, to maximize detection of galF antigens and improvement of sensitivity of galF antigen detection assays. The methods include minimizing intelectin-1 binding to galF antigens and improvement of monoclonal antibody binding. The detection methods are useful for identifying the presence of microbial antigens related to bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, Coccidioides species, Cryptococcus species, Histoplasma species, and Leishmania species.

Non-invasive methods are provided herein for diagnosing samples as including a fungus, including fungal infection or contamination, with specific monoclonal antibodies capable of detecting molecules associated with fungi in the sample, such as a biological or environmental sample. These molecules can be identified using various methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), or a lateral flow immunoassay.

The present invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising cyclodextrins or carbohydrates. The present invention also relates to the use of such compositions in the binding and removal of mycotoxins from foodstuff. The invention also includes compositions that show a broad affinity for mycotoxins.

A method of enhancing plant immunity is provided. The method comprises the step of administering to a plant a small molecule that binds to NPR1, or a functionally equivalent homolog thereof, that disrupts the interaction between N-terminal BTB/POZ domain and the C-terminal transactivation domain of NPR1. A method of screening for small molecule compounds that enhance plant immunity is also provided.

The invention provides methods for preparing a conifer seedling with increased tolerance to a pest. A conifer seedling is inoculated with an isolated endophyte when the conifer seedling is susceptible to colonization by the endophyte.

The present invention discloses a preparation method of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide GXM as well as a GXM antigen immunoassay kit and an application thereof. The preparation method of the Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide GXM effectively avoids the use of a toxic chemical reagent, ensures safety of operators, and also avoids environmental pollution, has high specificity, and can prepare a high-purity Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide while simplifying a preparation process. The GXM antigen immunoassay kit adopts a competition method, has good sensitivity, specificity, repeatability and stability, has high recovery rate of a target compound and may provide more accurate and reliable inspection results. The kit is simple and feasible in use and operation, rapid and sensitive in detection and low in price and provides an effective tool for clinical detection of GXM.

Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.