Disclosed are devices, kits, apparatus, and methods for rapid homogenous cell staining and imaging.

The invention relates to vaccine compositions for treating and/or preventing infections by a bacterium of the Chlamydiaceae family, said compositions comprising bacteria of the Chlamydiaceae family, which have been previously treated by at least one peptidoglycan inhibitor, or extracts of said treated bacteria.

The invention relates to vaccine compositions for treating and/or preventing infections by a bacterium of the Chlamydiaceae family, said compositions comprising bacteria of the Chlamydiaceae family, which have been previously treated by at least one peptidoglycan inhibitor, or extracts of said treated bacteria.

A system and method for detecting status of a health condition in a single-step process includes: a signal output device including a) a loading zone; b) a reaction zone fluidly coupled to the loading zone and including one or more reaction substances conjugated to labels, configured to enable detection of target material associated with the health condition; c) a testing zone fluidly coupled to the reaction zone and including one or more testing substances corresponding to the target material; and d) a control zone including a control substance retained at the control zone. The system and methods can be adapted for assessment of sexual health of one or more subjects, in relation to pregnancy, fertility, and/or sexually transmitted infections caused by one or more agents including, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Gardnerella vaginitis, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus infection, Hepatitis B, and herpes simplex virus.

In various embodiments devices and methods for the detection and/or quantification of clinically relevant pathogens (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) are provided. In certain embodiments the device comprises a lateral-flow assay that detects the bacterium at a concentration of less than about 6×10.sup.6 cells/mL, less than about 3×10.sup.6 cells/ml, less than about 1×10.sup.6 CFU/mL, or less than about 50 μg/mL. In certain embodiments the device comprises an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) comprising a mixed phase solution that separates into a first phase solution and a second phase solution; and a lateral-flow assay (LFA). In certain embodiments the device comprises a flow-through system comprising a concentration component comprising an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) comprising a mixed phase solution that separates into a first phase solution and a second phase solution; and a detection component disposed beneath said concentration component.

In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., Listeria bacterium, Chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as Listeria bacteria, Chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

In various embodiments devices and methods for the detection and/or quantification of clinically relevant pathogens (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) are provided. In certain embodiments the device comprises a lateral-flow assay that detects the bacterium at a concentration of less than about 6×10.sup.6 cells/mL, less than about 3×10.sup.6 cells/ml, less than about 1×10.sup.6 CFU/mL, or less than about 50 μg/mL. In certain embodiments the device comprises an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) comprising a mixed phase solution that separates into a first phase solution and a second phase solution; and a lateral-flow assay (LFA). In certain embodiments the device comprises a flow-through system comprising a concentration component comprising an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) comprising a mixed phase solution that separates into a first phase solution and a second phase solution; and a detection component disposed beneath said concentration component.

In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., listeria bacterium, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as listeria bacteria, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

The invention relates to vaccine compositions for treating and/or preventing infections by a bacterium of the Chlamydiaceae family, said compositions comprising bacteria of the Chlamydiaceae family, which have been previously treated by at least one peptidoglycan inhibitor, or extracts of said treated bacteria.

A system and method for detecting status of a health condition in a single-step process includes: a signal output device including a) a loading zone; b) a reaction zone fluidly coupled to the loading zone and including one or more reaction substances conjugated to labels, configured to enable detection of target material associated with the health condition; c) a testing zone fluidly coupled to the reaction zone and including one or more testing substances corresponding to the target material; and d) a control zone including a control substance retained at the control zone. The system and methods can be adapted for assessment of sexual health of one or more subjects, in relation to pregnancy, fertility, and/or sexually transmitted infections caused by one or more agents including, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Gardnerella vaginitis, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus infection, Hepatitis B, and herpes simplex virus.