A method of sorting cells on a FACS includes providing a culture of cells stained with a dye. The dye is excited using photons at a first wavelength. A fluorescence and emission of the dye is collected at a second wavelength. Droplets of the cells are produced by pumping the cell culture at a first pressure through a nozzle having a nozzle diameter. The droplets are produced at a first frequency. The cells are sorted by a desired property. The desired property can include sorting the cells by size using at least one of a forward scatter area (FSC-A), a forward scatter height (FSC-H), a forwards scatter width (FSC-W), side scatter area (SSC-A), a side scatter height (SSC-H) and a side scatter width (SSC-W) of the fluorescence of the dye to determine a size of the cells.

This invention relates to recombinant human antibody molecules. The antibodies bind fungal antigens, for example from Candida spp. Human antibody encoding genes targeting clinically relevant Candida epitopes have been isolated from single B cells from carefully selected donors and screened with specified types of protein or cell wall extract. The panel of purified, fully human recombinant IgG1 mAbs generated displayed a diverse range of specific binding profiles and demonstrated efficacy in a disease model. The fully human mAbs and derivatives thereof have utility in the generation of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

Provided is a nanoprobe based on a self-replicating biological material. The nanoprobe includes a binding agent existing in a first region of the biological material and capable of binding specifically to a target analyte, and nanoparticles existing in a second region of the biological material and providing an optical detection signal. The use of the nanoprobe enables quantitative analysis and multiplexed analysis of a target. In addition, the nanoprobe is easy to fabricate on a large scale.

This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to -glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti--glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti--glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti--glucan antibody.

In one aspect, methods of generating human monoclonal antibodies that specifically binds to an allergen are provided. In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies are generated from sequences identified from isolated single B cells from a human subject who is allergic to the allergen.

The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis, prognosis, risk assessment, risk stratification, monitoring, therapy guidance and/or therapy control of a fungal infection, in particular invasive fungal infections (IFI) and/or the ruling in or ruling out of an fungal infection and/or the differential diagnosis of a fungal colonization vs. an invasive fungal infection in a subject, wherein in particular the subject has an increased risk of getting or having a fungal infection and/or the subject is in a critical disease state, particularly has an existing infection and/or a state of sepsis, particularly a septic shock. The method of the invention comprises determining the level of at least one marker selected from the group of ICAM1, AHSG, CPN1, FABP1, HRG, PIGR, RAP1A, THBS1, VCL, ET-1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a diagnostic assay and a kit for carrying out the method.

A time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic kit for simultaneous detection of mixed contamination of five mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1 and an application thereof are disclosed. The kit comprises a time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic test strip and sample reaction vials each containing a europium-labeled monoclonal antibody lyophilized product; wherein the fluorescent test strip comprises a PVC substrate, and a surface of the PVC substrate is adhered with a water absorbing pad (1), a detection pad (2) and a sample pad (3) from top to bottom, adjacent pads being connected and overlapping at connections. The detection pad (2) adopts a nitrocellulose membrane as the base thereof and is arranged with a lateral quality control line (5) and five detection lines (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) from top to bottom each covered by a bovine serum albumin conjugate of each toxin. The fumonisin B1 monoclonal antibody is generated by the hybridoma cell strain Fm7A11 having China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) accession number C201636. The kit is applicable to simultaneous detection of mixed contamination of aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone and sterigmatocystin.

This document provides methods and materials involved in detecting and/or treating coccidioidomycosis (e.g., valley fever). For example, methods and materials for using a rapid antibody lateral flow assay to detect anti-CTS1 antibodies are provided. Methods and materials for treating coccidioidomycosis (e.g., valley fever) in a mammal (e.g., a human) identified as having anti-CTS1 antibodies via a lateral flow assay also are provided.

Use of enzymes to digest food and environmental samples is described herein, which permit the separation, rapid capture and concentration of microorganisms or genomic template to achieve detection and/or identification.

An elongate barrel is shaped to define a channel therethrough. A proximal region of the barrel defines an opening into the channel, and a distal region of the barrel defines an outlet from the channel. A sponge holding a body fluid sample is introduced into the opening by sliding a distal portion of a plunger, to which the sponge is coupled, through the channel. A porous carrier holding a reagent is disposed within the channel. Sliding the distal portion of the plunger distally through the channel drives the sample out of the sponge and through the carrier, dissolving at least some of the reagent. The sample is driven, with the dissolved reagent, through the outlet and onto a sample pad of a lateral flow platform. Other embodiments are also described.