Disclosed herein are methods, kits, systems, algorithms and improvements for detecting the presence of or determining an amount, quantity, concentration and/or level of an antibody against at least one type of β-coronavirus, such as, for example, an antibody against SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2, in one or more samples obtained from a subject. In some aspects, the methods, kits and systems relate to detecting the presence of or determining an amount, quantity, concentration and/or level of at least one type of anti-β-coronavirus antibody, such as an IgG and/or IgM antibody, in one or more samples obtained from a subject. The methods, kits systems, algorithms and improvements can also be used to monitor a subject's response and/or treatment to a β-coronavirus, determine whether or not a subject will develop or experience a cytokine storm, predict outcome in a subject, determine whether a subject can be administered a vaccine for a β-coronavirus, monitoring antibody response in individuals that have received a β-coronavirus vaccine (such as a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine), and/or determine the immune status of a subject.

It was discovered that hydrogel scaffolds can be used to induce phase separation as aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) pass through and/or rehydrate the scaffolds, allowing for concentration of target analyte(s) (e.g., biomolecule(s)) into a particular phase of the ATPS or into a leading front. Accordingly, in various embodiments methods and devices are provided that utilize aqueous two-phase systems and hydrogel scaffolds to improve the sensitivity of assays (e.g., of point-of-care assays) without sacrificing cost or ease of use.

The present invention provides a highly sensitive immunochromatography measurement method in which a labeling substance for labeling an object to be detected in a specimen undergoing immunochromatography is quantified by being identified with precision, high resolution, and increased contrast using an electron microscope. An immunochromatography measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that measurement is performed by an electron microscope after applying an auxiliary liquid other than a specimen in the immunochromatography.

This disclosure describes recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) polypeptides, fusion proteins, and compositions thereof having improved binding affinity for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain relative to wild-type ACE2. Also provided are methods of using the recombinant ACE2 polypeptides, fusion proteins, and compositions thereof for treating subjects infected with a SARS-CoV-2 virus (i.e., subjects with COVID-19), subjects having symptoms suggestive of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, and subjects exposed to or at risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Other virus infections may also be treated.

Multilayer diagnostic microfluidic devices for the capture of a present or past SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 disease from a fluid sample using a multiplexed ELISA-based assay and their methods of use are described herein. The devices comprise a sample application layer comprising a sample application zone: a conjugation layer comprising a conjugation reagent in a conjugation zone, wherein the conjugation reagent comprises a detectable marker; a capture layer comprising a capture reagent in a capture zone; and an absorbent layer. The layers above tire capture layer are removable to expose a detectable signal in the capture zone. Detectable analytes include a SARS-CoV-2 protein or an antigenic fragment thereof, an IgM, IgG, or IgA antibody associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection and or COVID-19 disease, or an inflammatory biomarker associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 disease.

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for analyte sensing with optothermally generated bubbles in biphasic liquid samples.

The present invention relates to treatment of coronavirus-induced disease, specifically COVID-19 disease, wherein the disease is characterized by mast cell degranulation, acute inflammation, pulmonary and/or vascular pathologies. The treatment comprises administering to a subject a composition comprising a mast cell stabilizer and/or inhibitor of mast cell products, such as TY-51469, nafamostat mesylate, cromolyn, or ketotifen. The invention also provides a method of diagnosing a subject as having SARS-CoV-2, the method comprising determining the level and/or activity of a mast cell protease such as chymase or tryptase in the serum from a subject.

Methods for obtaining a sample from a subject include providing a sample collection room within a retail store; and obtaining a sample from a subject at a retail location. Sample collection rooms may house a sample analysis device or system. Samples may be small, e.g., a finger-stick capillary blood sample.

A nucleic acid aptamer having binding affinity to A/H1N1pdm09 influenza virus, agents comprising the aptamer, and methods using the aptamer are provided.

A system and method for automated single cell capture and processing is described, where the system includes a deck supporting and positioning a set of sample processing elements (including an integrated imaging subsystem); a gantry for actuating tools for interactions with the set of sample processing elements supported by the deck; and a base supporting various processing subsystems and a control subsystems in communication with the processing subsystems. The system can automatically execute workflows associated with single cell processing, including antibody detection, other protein detection, mRNA detection, and/or other applications associated with spatial transcriptomics.