The invention provides systems and methods for rapid automated identification of microbes and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) directly from a patient specimen, without specimen preparation. Specimens are loaded into an analytical cartridge for processing. Analytical cartridges are preloaded with species-specific labels that are used to identify and enumerate microbes in the specimen. Instruments, such as analyzers can be used to interact with analytical cartridges to carry out methods of the invention all within the cartridge.

The invention provides systems and methods for rapid automated identification of microbes and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) directly from a patient specimen, without specimen preparation. Specimens are loaded into an analytical cartridge for processing. Analytical cartridges are preloaded with species-specific labels that are used to identify and enumerate microbes in the specimen. Instruments, such as analyzers can be used to interact with analytical cartridges to carry out methods of the invention all within the cartridge.

A platform and method for conducting multi-variable combinational interactions are provided. An array of multiplexing chambers in formed in a body. The body also includes a common well communicating with each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers and a plurality of variable wells. Each of variable wells communicates with at least one multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers. The common well is loaded with a first variable and different variables are loaded in each of the plurality of variable wells. The interaction of the first variable with at least one of the different variables in each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers is observed.

A platform and method for conducting multi-variable combinational interactions are provided. An array of multiplexing chambers in formed in a body. The body also includes a common well communicating with each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers and a plurality of variable wells. Each of variable wells communicates with at least one multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers. The common well is loaded with a first variable and different variables are loaded in each of the plurality of variable wells. The interaction of the first variable with at least one of the different variables in each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers is observed.

A method for assessing an assessment target according to an embodiment includes: a step of acquiring statistical information based on at least one color feature quantity with respect to each of a plurality of assessment regions in a plate image corresponding to an image of an assessment plate that holds an assessment target in a plurality of wells provided in the plate; and a step of determining a color of the plurality of assessment regions by using the statistical information. The assessment target includes a tester, the plurality of wells include a test substance well holding the assessment target that further includes a test substance, the plate image includes a plurality of well images corresponding to the plurality of wells, and each of the plurality of assessment regions includes at least one well image corresponding to at least one of the wells.

A method for assessing an assessment target according to an embodiment includes: a step of acquiring statistical information based on at least one color feature quantity with respect to each of a plurality of assessment regions in a plate image corresponding to an image of an assessment plate that holds an assessment target in a plurality of wells provided in the plate; and a step of determining a color of the plurality of assessment regions by using the statistical information. The assessment target includes a tester, the plurality of wells include a test substance well holding the assessment target that further includes a test substance, the plate image includes a plurality of well images corresponding to the plurality of wells, and each of the plurality of assessment regions includes at least one well image corresponding to at least one of the wells.

Provided is a multi-well-based rapid cell culture test device designed such that fluid films with a uniform thickness are formed. The rapid cell culture test device has an array structure of a plurality of aligned well units, each of which includes a first sub-well in which a first fluid is accommodated and a barrier structure surrounding the first sub-well to define the area of the first sub-well. A capillary channel recessed from the bottom surface of the first sub-well while traversing the bottom surface is formed to accommodate the first fluid and the barrier structure is divided into a barrier portion A located adjacent to one end of the capillary channel and a barrier portion B located adjacent to the other end of the capillary channel. The barrier portion A is greater in height than the barrier portion B such that when the barrier portion A is wetted with the first fluid introduced into the first sub-well along its inner wall, a change in the level of the first fluid at the other end of the capillary channel depending on the amount of the first fluid dispensed is minimized.

Provided is a multi-well-based rapid cell culture test device designed such that fluid films with a uniform thickness are formed. The rapid cell culture test device has an array structure of a plurality of aligned well units, each of which includes a first sub-well in which a first fluid is accommodated and a barrier structure surrounding the first sub-well to define the area of the first sub-well. A capillary channel recessed from the bottom surface of the first sub-well while traversing the bottom surface is formed to accommodate the first fluid and the barrier structure is divided into a barrier portion A located adjacent to one end of the capillary channel and a barrier portion B located adjacent to the other end of the capillary channel. The barrier portion A is greater in height than the barrier portion B such that when the barrier portion A is wetted with the first fluid introduced into the first sub-well along its inner wall, a change in the level of the first fluid at the other end of the capillary channel depending on the amount of the first fluid dispensed is minimized.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for community-based screening of polymicrobial infections for the selection and administration of antibiotics and antibiotic combinations for treating infections associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinus infections. The methods and compositions of this disclosure are advantageous in the sense that antibiotic effectiveness is assessed with respect to a community of microbes rather than a single microbial population, thus reflecting more accurately the in vivo disease environment and enabling the identification of beneficial antimicrobial therapeutics even when the primary bacterial strain shows antibiotic resistance.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for community-based screening of polymicrobial infections for the selection and administration of antibiotics and antibiotic combinations for treating infections associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinus infections. The methods and compositions of this disclosure are advantageous in the sense that antibiotic effectiveness is assessed with respect to a community of microbes rather than a single microbial population, thus reflecting more accurately the in vivo disease environment and enabling the identification of beneficial antimicrobial therapeutics even when the primary bacterial strain shows antibiotic resistance.