A process is provided for isolating and analyzing microorganisms contained in a sample by collecting a determined volume in a sample, the determined volume representing all or part of this sample, likely to contain at least one microorganism. The collected volume is then split up into a plurality of compartments having a culture medium, the volume of each compartment being smaller than 10 μL, each compartment being isolated from the other compartments and having no interface with the ambient atmosphere. At least one microorganism is incubated in the compartments for determined durations, and compartments are detected that contain at least one microorganism. The incubation may be extended after detecting compartments so that at least one microorganism having a defined quantity can be detected, and then the content of the detected compartments can be recovered. Finally, at least one functional parameter relative to a microorganism in the compartments is determined.

Methods of controlling bacteria cells are disclosed. These methods comprise upregulating expression of a DVU2956 sigma 54-dependent enhancer-binding protein (EBP) in bacteria cells, resulting in (i) dispersing a biofilm of the cells or reducing biofilm formation by the cells, and/or (ii) reducing hydrogen sulfide formation by the cells. Further disclosed are methods of identifying compounds for controlling bacteria cells as in (i) and/or (ii) above. Polynucleotides and cells are disclosed that can optionally be used to practice compound identification methods.

Disclosed is a method for culturing urine-derived kidney stem cells, which belongs to the field of cell biology. The method comprises the following steps: isolating cells from the urine, and then culturing the cells with a culture medium of urine-derived kidney stem cells on feeder cells to obtain the urine-derived kidney stem cells, wherein the feeder cells are fibroblasts, and the culture medium of urine-derived kidney stem cells contains 200-300 mL of DMEM medium, 200-300 mL of F12 medium, 20-70 mL of fetal bovine serum, 0.2-2 mM of L-glutamine, 1-14 ng/mL of insulin, 0.1-1 ng/mL of epidermal growth factor, 5-30 μg/mL of adenine, and 2-20 μg/mL of hydrocortisone. By using the method, kidney stem cells with high proliferation capacity and specificity can be obtained and applied, and thus the regenerative outcome of the kidney tissue after injury can be improved.

An apparatus for in-situ monitoring and measuring of general corrosion and localized microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in a simulated environment is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber containing an electrolyte solution and a microbe specimen. The chamber includes a pair of electrical resistance (ER) probes that measure a current flowing through the electrolyte solution and a general corrosion rate on the surface of the ER probes. The chamber also includes a pair of electrochemical noise (EN) probes. The EN probes are aligned to face one another such that the EN probes measure a localized corrosion rate on the surface of the EN probes and measure the influence of gravity on MIC. The apparatus measures the general and localized corrosion rates simultaneously without polarizing the surface of the ER and EN probes.

A method for validating a method for sterilizing an item, making it possible to validate the sterility assurance level achieved with this sterilization method. The method includes carrying out a first step of contaminating a container receiving the item with more than 10.sup.5 living microorganism cells, then carrying out a first sterilization cycle with the chosen method, then opening the container in order to contaminate it again with more than 10.sup.5 living microorganism cells, then carrying out a second sterilization cycle with the same method, and finally checking the sterility of the container after the first sterilization cycle and after the second sterilization cycle. The method is applicable in particular for products and devices intended for health use.

A method of spectrometric analysis comprises obtaining one or more sample spectra for an aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The one or more sample spectra are subjected to pre-processing and then multivariate and/or library based analysis so as to classify the aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The results of the analysis are used for various surgical or non-surgical applications.

The invention provides methods and systems for drug screening by segregating single cells into droplets simultaneously and providing candidate compound to the single cells to measure cellular response. Methods of the present invention combine template particles with a plurality of single cells in a tube, generate in the tube monodispersed droplets simultaneously that encapsulate a single one of the template particles and single one of the single cells, provide to the single cells one or more candidate compounds, and measure a cellular response to the one or more candidate compounds.

Provided herein are methods of amplifying and detecting biothreat pathogens in complex samples (e.g., blood), as well as related panels and compositions (e.g., systems, cartridges, and kits).

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of molecular sensors, microbial sensors, constructs, systems, and methods for selectively detecting aromatic compounds.

Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of molecular sensors, microbial sensors, constructs, systems, and methods for selectively detecting aromatic compounds.