Described herein are RNA-based antisense therapeutics to target antibiotic resistant bacteria. The antisense therapeutics disclosed herein can be useful in re-sensitizing drug-resistant bacteria to antibiotics, as well as developing antibiotics that have bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects on the drug-resistant bacteria or are capable of preventing emergence of antibiotic resistance. Also described herein are methods for re-sensitizing a subject to one or more antibiotics in need thereof, methods for identifying target genes involved in adaptive antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and methods for developing antibacterial antisense therapeutics.

The invention relates to, in part, improved methods for the production of beta-lactamase using Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. High yield production of beta-lactamase is achieved using methods of the invention.

This invention provides, in part, various compositions and methods for protecting the gastrointestinal microbiome from antibiotic disruption from orally administered antibiotics.

The present invention provides a cell-based assay for measuring T cell activation mediated by a T cell-dependent bispecific antibody (TDB). In some aspects, the assay is useful for detecting a TDB in a composition, quantitating the amount of TDB in a composition, determining the potency and/or specificity of a TDB, or determining if a population of cells expresses a target antigen. Compositions and kits are also contemplated.

An expression vector for mammalian cells includes a selection cassette with a nucleotide sequence encoding a glutamine synthetase, operably linked to a PGK promoter and a pA signal. The vector may include the EASE element which is known to promote stable integration of the expression cassettes into the genome. The vector also includes a selection cassette with a nucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme that confers resistance against an antibiotic to a bacterial host as a bacterial selection marker, operably linked to a suitable promoter. The vector further includes an expression cassette for a target polypeptide with an insertion site for a nucleotide sequence encoding the target polypeptide, operably linked to a. CMV promoter and a pA signal. The vector also includes a bacterial origin of replication.

This invention relates to, in part, compositions of beta-lactamases and methods of using these enzymes in, for example, gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) disorders such as C. difficile infection (CDI).

This invention provides, in part, various compositions and methods for protecting the gastrointestinal microbiome from antibiotic disruption.

The present disclosure features portable wide field fluorimeter systems, e.g., in the form of low-cost mobile platforms, and methods to perform fluorometric assays to detect a change in fluorescence intensity in liquid samples, e.g., caused by the presence of a target analyte, e.g., a protein, e.g., an enzyme (e.g., β-lactamase) expressed by a target pathogen in a liquid sample in a point-of-care setting. In some implementations, a portable system for detecting a change in fluorescence intensity in a liquid sample includes a microfluidic device, an optical assembly including an emission filter and one or more lenses, and an analyzer device that collects and processes a fluorescent signal for the detection of a target analyte produced by the target pathogen present in the liquid sample.

Recombinant bacterial cells are provided that comprise a stable non-canonical amino acid translation pathway. In some aspects, the bacteria comprise nucleic acids encoding a non-canonical amino acid translation pathway (e.g., a tRNA for incorporation of a non-canonical amino acid, such selenocysteine); a marker polypeptide that includes the non-canonical amino acid. Recombinant tRNA and selection marker coding sequences are likewise provided.

The present disclosure relates to compositions of immobilized enzymes on the surface of achromosomal and/or anucleate cells and uses thereof. In particular, the present disclosure provides genetically engineered minicells with enzymes self-assembled on their surface. The immobilized enzymes on the surface of achromosomal and/or anucleate minicells, has agricultural, industrial, and environmental applications due to their improved stability durability and, reusability. Also, provided are methods for producing and purifying enzyme-immobilized minicells.