The biological functionality of living microbial spores is modified using phenotypic engineering to endow the resulting modified spores with novel functionality that extends the usefulness of the spores for a variety of practical applications including, for example, sterility testing, the release of active compounds, and cell-based biosensing systems. An embodiment entails engineering Bacillus spores to acquire synthetic new functions that enable the modified spores to sense and rapidly transduce specific germination signals in their surroundings. The newly acquired functions allow the spores to perform, for example, as self-reporters of cellular viability, self-indicating components of cell-based biosensors, and in other analytical systems. Also disclosed are methods for testing adequate sterility of a system by using engineered spores.

The biological functionality of living microbial spores is modified using phenotypic engineering to endow the resulting modified spores with novel functionality that extends the usefulness of the spores for a variety of practical applications including, for example, sterility testing, the release of active compounds, and cell-based biosensing systems. An embodiment entails engineering Bacillus spores to acquire synthetic new functions that enable the modified spores to sense and rapidly transduce specific germination signals in their surroundings. The newly acquired functions allow the spores to perform, for example, as self-reporters of cellular viability, self-indicating components of cell-based biosensors, and in other analytical systems. Also disclosed are methods for testing adequate sterility of a system by using engineered spores.

The present invention provides a system for monitoring a sterilization procedure. The system includes a sterilization unit for providing sterilization of at least one item, a biological indicator for producing a readable signal, the signal readable during the sterilization procedure, wherein the signal corresponds to the viability of the biological indicator and a reader for reading the signal from the biological indicator during the sterilization procedure for monitoring the sterilization real time. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for monitoring sterilization featuring simultaneously exposing at least one item to be sterilized and a biological indicator to a sterilization medium, the biological indicator producing a measurable signal corresponding to its viability and simultaneously monitoring the signal from the biological indicator during the exposure to the sterilization medium to determine completion of effective sterilization of the at least one item.

The present invention provides a system for monitoring a sterilization procedure. The system includes a sterilization unit for providing sterilization of at least one item, a biological indicator for producing a readable signal, the signal readable during the sterilization procedure, wherein the signal corresponds to the viability of the biological indicator and a reader for reading the signal from the biological indicator during the sterilization procedure for monitoring the sterilization real time. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for monitoring sterilization featuring simultaneously exposing at least one item to be sterilized and a biological indicator to a sterilization medium, the biological indicator producing a measurable signal corresponding to its viability and simultaneously monitoring the signal from the biological indicator during the exposure to the sterilization medium to determine completion of effective sterilization of the at least one item.

Methods for monitoring the environmental hygiene of an area includes inoculating one or more test items or sampling devices with at least one target and providing the inoculated test items or sampling devices for testing using at least one standard detection protocol. The test is reviewed to determine whether the protocol solicits a reaction to each target. If a target solicits the intended result, then the standard detection protocol for that target is determined to be proficient. Methods for monitoring the effectiveness environmental hygiene for an area to ascertain the proficiency to the testing or sampling of at least one test surface includes providing at least one target and testing or sampling the test surface. A test item or sampling device is tested with at least one standard detection protocol and the test is reviewed to determine whether the at least one target is detected as intended by the protocol.

Methods for monitoring the environmental hygiene of an area includes inoculating one or more test items or sampling devices with at least one target and providing the inoculated test items or sampling devices for testing using at least one standard detection protocol. The test is reviewed to determine whether the protocol solicits a reaction to each target. If a target solicits the intended result, then the standard detection protocol for that target is determined to be proficient. Methods for monitoring the effectiveness environmental hygiene for an area to ascertain the proficiency to the testing or sampling of at least one test surface includes providing at least one target and testing or sampling the test surface. A test item or sampling device is tested with at least one standard detection protocol and the test is reviewed to determine whether the at least one target is detected as intended by the protocol.

A portable analyte detection system and related methods are provided. The detection system includes a detector having one or more probes and associated detector circuitry that is in communication with a mobile device. The system displays real-time decontamination feedback, initiates decontamination processes, and displays process completion notification or automatically implements decontamination shut-off. The server tracks location information and analyte levels for products and communicates with third party certification servers.

A portable analyte detection system and related methods are provided. The detection system includes a detector having one or more probes and associated detector circuitry that is in communication with a mobile device. The system displays real-time decontamination feedback, initiates decontamination processes, and displays process completion notification or automatically implements decontamination shut-off. The server tracks location information and analyte levels for products and communicates with third party certification servers.

The present disclosure relates to Zika virus vaccines and immunogenic compositions having one or more antigens from a Zika virus (e.g., a Zika virus clonal isolate, a non-human cell adapted Zika virus, etc.), and methods of treatments and uses thereof

The invention relates to a self-contained biological indicator comprising a vial, an ampule arranged inside said vial, a growth medium for growing microorganisms, the growth medium being arranged inside the ampule and the growth medium having a first color, a biological indicator, a carrier for holding the biological indicator, wherein the biological indicator is arranged on the carrier, and at least one color change indicator having a second color, wherein the at least one color change indicator is arranged inside the vial but outside the ampoule, the growth medium does not contain any of the at least one color change indicator and the first color of the growth medium is changed by the second color of the at least one color change indicator when mixed with the at least one color change indicator.