The present disclosure relates to methods of collecting and testing bacteria containing samples from within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject. The methods may include disposing an ingestible device in the GI tract, collecting a bacteria-containing sample from the GI tract, selectively lysing eukaryotic cells in the sample by combining the sample with a dried reagent, exposing bacteria in the sample to resazurin in the ingestible device to produce resorufin, emitting light from the ingestible device, the emitted light being filtered through an optical filter to control for scatter so that the light interacts with the resorufin to produce fluorescence, and measuring a total fluorescence from the resorufin; or a rate of change of fluorescence from the resorufin as a function of time within the GI tract of the subject; and correlating the measured parameter to a number of viable bacterial cells in the sample.

This disclosure provides a family of compounds that absorb and fluoresce in the short wave infrared region (SWIR, optionally 1000 nm to 1300 nm), including hydrophilic compounds that exhibit absorption and emission spectral profiles in aqueous solutions substantially similar to those observed in organic solvents such as methanol or DMSO. The compounds can be chemically linked to biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and therapeutic small molecules. The compounds are useful for imaging in a variety of medical, biological and diagnostic applications, including SWIR in vivo imaging of regions of interest within a mammal.

Peptides that home, target, migrate to, are directed to, are retained by, or accumulate in and/or bind to the cartilage or kidney of a subject are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and uses for peptides or peptide-active agent complexes comprising such peptides are also disclosed. Such compositions can be formulated for targeted delivery of an active agent to a target region, tissue, structure or cell in the cartilage. Targeted compositions of the disclosure can deliver peptide or peptide-active agent complexes to target regions, tissues, structures, or cells targeted by the peptide.

Provided is an isolated CTLA4 monoclonal antibody. The antibody can highly-specifically bind to CTLA4, and can effectively block the binding of CTLA4 to B7, reduce the activity or expression level of CTLA4, relieve the inhibition of CTLA4 on the immune function of an organism, activate T lymphocytes, and effectively treat tumors and immune system diseases. Also provided are a monoclonal antibody conjugate comprising the pharmaceutical composition and diagnostic composition of the antibody, and the use thereof in the preparation of a drug for preventing and/or treating and/or treating in combination tumors and immune system diseases.

Anti-CD8 antibodies, radiolabeled anti-CD8 antibodies, fluorescently labeled anti-CD8 antibodies and their use in imaging are provided herein. Included are methods of detecting the presence of CD8 proteins in a subject or sample.

The present invention relates to novel linkers containing a 2,3-disubstituted succinic group, or 2-monosubstituted, or 2,3-disubstituted fumaric or maleic (trans (E)- or cis (Z)-butenedioic), or acetylenedicarboxyl group for conjugation of a cytotoxic agent, and/or one or more different functional molecules per linker to a cell-binding molecule, through bridge linking pairs of thiols on the cell-binding molecule specifically. The invention also relates to methods of making such linkers, and of using such linkers in making homogeneous conjugates, as well as of application of the conjugates in treatment of cancers, infections and autoimmune disorders.

Neurotrophin receptor binding conjugate compositions for delivering an active agent to nerve cells are provided. Conjugate compositions of the present disclosure according to certain embodiments include a one or more active agent compounds (e.g., a dye or small molecule therapeutic) covalently bonded to a protein, peptide or peptidomimetic that binds selectively to a neurotrophin receptor. In embodiments of the compositions, the average ratio of active agent compound to protein, peptide or peptidomimetic in the conjugates is 5 or less. Dual color imaging compositions are also described. Methods for delivering an active agent conjugate selectively into nerve cells (e.g., intraocular delivery) are provided. Also included are methods of making compositions having neurotrophin receptor binding conjugates

Described herein are protein-payload conjugates and compositions thereof that are useful, for example, for target-specific delivery of therapeutic and/or imaging agent moieties. In certain embodiments, provided are specific and efficient methods for producing protein-payload constructs (e.g., antibody-drug conjugates) utilizing a combination of transglutaminase and Diels-Alder techniques. Antibody-drug conjugates and compositions which comprise glutaminyl-modified antibodies, Diels-Alder adducts, and reactive payloads and are provided.

The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods are provided for covalently linking a cargo molecule, such as a therapeutic or a diagnostic agent, to a glycan in the Fab region of an antibody. Also provided are methods of modeling and producing antibodies having de novo Fab glycosylation sites. Also provided are antibody carrier conjugates, methods of using the conjugates.

Disclosed herein are nanoparticle immunoconjugates useful for therapeutics and/or diagnostics. The immunoconjugates have diameter (e.g., average diameter) no greater than 20 nanometers (e.g., as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in aqueous solution, e.g., saline solution). In certain embodiments, the conjugates are silica-based nanoparticles with single chain antibody fragments attached thereto.