The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to crosslinkers, compositions, and methods for trapping a target of interest on a substrate of interest. The methods may be used to inhibit and treat pathogen infection and provide contraception. The methods may be used to trap or separate particles and other substances. The subject matter further relates to methods of identifying and preparing optimal crosslinkers and methods for manipulating targets of interest.

This disclosure provides intact bacterially derived minicells containing nucleic acids adjuvants or plasmids encoding nucleic acids adjuvants that can produce a desired immune response in target cells. This disclosure further provides methods that employ minicells to deliver nucleic acids adjuvants for use in the treatment of diseases, including neoplastic disease and cancer.

Intact bacterially derived minicells containing functional nucleic acids or plasmids encoding functional nucleic acids can reduce, in targeted mammalian cells, drug resistance, apoptosis resistance, and neoplasticity, respectively. Methodology that employs minicells to deliver functional nucleic acids, targeting the transcripts of proteins that contribute to drug resistance or apoptosis resistance, inter alia, can be combined with chemotherapy to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

Antibody molecule-drug conjugates (ADCs) that specifically bind to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are disclosed. The antibody molecule-drug conjugates can be used to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose bacterial infections and related disorders.

The present invention relates to the use of a composition selected from the group consisting of antibodies, antibody fragments, insulin-like growth factor antagonists, Toll-like receptor antagonists and mixtures thereof for the treatment or the prophylaxis of certain diseases.

The present invention features compositions comprising an anti-amyloid antibody and methods of treating microbial infection and treating or preventing microbial biofilms using the composition.

A composition comprising intact killed bacterial cells that contain a therapeutic nucleic acid, a drug or a functional nucleic acid is useful for targeted delivery to mammalian cells. The targeted delivery optionally employs bispecific ligands, comprising a first arm that carries specificity for a killed bacterial cell surface structure and a second arm that carries specificity for a mammalian cell surface receptor, to target killed bacterial cells to specific mammalian cells and to cause endocytosis of the killed bacterial cells by the mammalian cells. Alternatively, the delivery method exploits the natural ability of phagocytic mammalian cells to engulf killed bacterial cells without the use of bispecific ligands.

The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing, treating and diagnosing infection by Salmonella enterica serovar typhi (S. typhi) and/or S. paratyphi, i.e., typhoid fever.

Synthetic binding agents for reducing the fraction of targets that can permeate through mucus and/or freely divide, and methods of reducing mucosal permeation and/or free division of a target using these synthetic binding agents.

Formulations of egg powders with avian antibodies that act as mucosal protectants are provided. The formulations are effective for protecting the mucosal membranes in the pharyngeal area of an individual from viral infections. Formulations effective for reducing infections of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals are provided. Formulations are also effective for reducing transmission of viral disease. The formulations are tablets, candies, gummies, throat lozenges, and powders for administering to the pharyngeal area. Methods for administering the formulations for reducing viral disease such as Covid-19 are disclosed.