Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of making a tetracycline inducible expression system in a cell. The methods include providing the cell with a first nucleic acid sequence comprising a first promoter operably linked to a tetracycline repressor gene coding sequence, providing the cell with a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a second promoter operably linked to a coding sequence of a gene of interest wherein the second promoter is modified to include one or more tetracycline repressor protein binding sites, and determining the expression of the gene of interest in the presence or absence of tetracycline. The disclosure further provides nucleic acid sequences, vectors and cells including the tetracycline inducible modified promoter.

Abstract: The disclosure describes compositions containing PEGylated compounds using linkers, bivalent polysaccharide covalent PEG compounds, and methods of bivalent polysaccharide-PEG compounds in the development of multivalent vaccines. PEGylated conjugation of capsular polysaccharides to carrier proteins is carried out using homo-bifunctional and/or hetero-bifunctional linkers of specific lengths. Incorporation of bifunctional PEG linkers induces higher titers of functional antibodies with high avidity, eliciting higher immunologic memory, and reduced carrier protein effect. This provides immunochemically cross-reactive capsular polysaccharides wherein one or more cross-reactive capsular polysaccharides are covalently PEG compounded sequentially or concurrently to carrier protein using bifunctional linkers bearing the same or different functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for treating and/or immunizing against Haemophilus influenzae, including nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi). The methods comprise administering a composition comprising H. influenzae proteins OppA and/or LapB.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for specific activation of inflammatory responses in dendritic cells (DCs). 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (PAPC) and its oxidized variant (oxPAPC) were identified to promote DC-mediated immunity, and are provided as adjuvants in immunostimulatory compositions, including vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus through detection a mass signal at m/z of 6580-6600 in the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum. Also disclosed is a novel peptide biomarker, which consists of SEQ NO ID:5 and the use thereof for detection and/or identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Described herein are biopesticides having activity against Erwinia species, particularly against the fire blight phytopathogen Erwinia amylovora. The biopesticides comprise intact or vegetative cells, endospores, spores, and/or metabolites from one or more bacterial species or strains as active ingredients, wherein the vegetative cells, endospores, spores, and/or metabolites exhibit antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic Erwinia species or Erwinia amylovora.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, the invention relates to bacterial strains and methods for making terpene and terpenoid products. The invention provides bacterial strains with improved carbon flux through the MEP pathway, to thereby increase terpene and/or terpenoid product yield by fermentation with carbon sources such as glucose.

Abstract: Systems and methods for microbe identification (ID) in the context of phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Approaches for rapidly identifying polymicrobial samples are introduced that following perform one or more ID methods, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), PCR, or DNA hybridization, following sample incubation in two or more different media, including at least one selective media. Parallel ID and AST workflows are provided that may reduce the time from sample to AST result.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the strain CECT8538 of Pseudomonas putida and mutants thereof, and the use of said strain as a pesticide in controlling plant diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. Further aspects of the invention relate to methods for preparing pesticidal compositions comprising said strain. Finally, the invention relates to a method for controlling various plant diseases caused by fungi and bacteria in a plant, comprising treating the plant and/or seed thereof or substrate used for growing said plant with the strain CECT8538 of P. putida or a composition including it.

Abstract: The invention features methods, systems, and panels for rapid detection of tick-borne pathogens in a sample (including Borrelia spp. such as B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii) and for diagnosis and monitoring of tick-transmitted diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q-fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and anaplasmosis.

Abstract: The compositions and methods are described for generating an immune response to a Plasmodium antigen. The compositions and methods described herein relate to a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector encoding one or more viral antigens for generating a protective immune response to malaria by expressing the Plasmodium antigen in the subject to which the MVA vector is administered. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful both prophylactically and therapeutically and may be used to prevent and/or treat malaria.

Abstract: Polypeptides are provided that are capable of significantly inhibiting and/or neutralizing P. aeruginosa. The polypeptides comprise two or more immunoglobulin single variable domains that are directed against the PcrV protein of P. aeruginosa, wherein the “first” immunoglobulin single variable domain and the “second” immunoglobulin single variable domain have different paratopes.

Abstract: Two-component vaccine formulations and methods are contemplated where the vaccine has an adjuvant component and a therapeutic component. The therapeutic component comprises preferably a recombinant therapeutic virus encoding a therapeutic antigen while the adjuvant component comprises a non-host cell or immune stimulating portion thereof. Notably, use of the adjuvant component will result in significant uptake of the therapeutic component into immune competent cells, even in the absence of receptors for entry of the therapeutic component. In addition, such adjuvant also stimulates expression of the therapeutic antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system comprising (a) a first nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide sequence of interest operatively linked to a promoter comprising a repressor polypeptide binding site, and (b) a second nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a repressor polypeptide having at least 70% amino acid identity with EilR, SmvR, KmrR, RcdA, or QacR; wherein expression of the nucleotide sequence of interest from the promoter is induced by the presence of a hydrophobic inducer, such as a hydrophobic cation inducer, such as a triarylmethane, acridine, phenazine, phenothiazine, or xanthene.

Abstract: The current invention lies in the field of medicine and more specifically in the field of vaccinology. The current invention concerns a novel Bordetella LPS and a modified bacterium of the genus Bordetella comprising such modified LPS. The LPS of the invention has a reduced endotoxicity in comparison to an unmodified Bordetella LPS. The modified LPS of the invention is therefore particularly suitable for use in inducing or stimulating an immune response in a subject, wherein the immune response is induced or stimulated against a Bordetella infection. The modified Bordetella LPS of the invention is obtainable by introducing in a Bordetella cell the expression of a heterologous acyl transferase. In particular, the modified Bordetella cell of the invention has an increased expression of an heterologous LpxA, LpxL or LpxD acyl transferase.

Abstract: Methods of making biofilms having non-native functional polypeptides attached thereto are provided.

Abstract: A strain of Lactobacillus gasseri KBL697 and the use thereof are described. The strain of Lactobacillus gasseri KBL697 (Accession No. KCTC 13520BP) attenuates allergic reactions of cells, significantly improves symptoms of atopic dermatitis, and exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effects and a therapeutic effect for intestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. Thus, the single strain alone can achieve all the purposes of alleviating allergic diseases and inflammatory diseases and improving intestinal health, thereby finding advantageous applications as a probiotic substance. In addition, the strain, based on the anti-fungal activity thereof, can be advantageously utilized in a skin external preparation against various skin diseases caused by fungi, and in a cosmetic composition and a functional patch for alleviating sensitive skin.

Abstract: Described is an assay for diagnosing an infection such as peritonitis in a subject. The assay includes a binding molecule, such as an antibody that specifically binds to an inflammatory marker in a sample from the subject, and a second binding molecule that binds to a marker indicative of a pathogen in the sample. For diagnosing peritonitis in a subject, the pathogen will be at least one bacterium and/or fungus. Typically, the assay will be incorporated into a lateral flow device and may include a binding molecule that specifically binds to an antigen indicative of the presence of a specific pathogen species. The described assay(s) may further include filter(s), enriching antigen(s), and buffer(s). Also described are methods of diagnosing and treating peritonitis in a subject who is a peritoneal dialysis patient that include utilizing the herein described assay(s) or assay kit(s) to analyze the subject's peritoneal dialysis effluent.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of detecting and preventing infectious diseases caused by Enterococcus faecalis and/or Enterococcus faecium.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for administering bacterial strains to reduce GvHD and improve survival after allogeneic BMT.