Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting a wound infection and for detecting the presence or absence of microorganisms, for example, wound pathogens in a sample, by contacting a sample with a cationic anti-microbial peptide that is degradable by an enzyme produced and/or secreted by a microorganism, and detecting degradation or the absence of degradation of the peptide, as an indicator of the presence or absence of the enzyme in the sample, and thus indicative of the presence or absence of a microorganism in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting a wound infection and for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria, for example, wound bacteria in a sample, by contacting a sample with a peptide substrate derived from the modification of the reactive site loop (RSL) domain of the ?1-proteinase inhibitor. In the current invention, we have demonstrated that these peptide substrates without the alpha 1 protein can be efficiently used as peptide substrates. The modification or the absence of modification of this peptide substrate by the enzyme produced and/or secreted by the bacteria, can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of the bacteria in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria in a sample.

Abstract: Described herein is a substrate comprising at least one colorimetric component attached to a peptide, as well as methods for detecting a modification of said substrate. Also described are methods of detecting the presence or absence of a protein, for example, a protein produced by a microorganism, by contacting a substrate with a sample. If the sample contains the protein of interest, the substrate is modified and a visible color change results, indicating the presence or absence of the protein in the sample. The present invention also features biosensors and kits for detecting the presence or absence of microorganisms and/or proteins in a sample.

Abstract: Described herein are zymogens, methods of use for zymogens, and devices that incorporate zymogens. The zymogens include a substrate and an enzyme. The substrate can inhibit the enzyme and is a target for a protein produced by a microorganism. When the substrate is modified by a protein produced by a microorganism, the enzyme is activated. The zymogens can be used to amplify detection assays.

Abstract: Described herein are zymogens, methods of use for zymogens, and devices that incorporate zymogens. The zymogens include a substrate and an enzyme. The substrate can inhibit the enzyme and is a target for a protein produced by a microorganism. When the substrate is modified by a protein produced by a microorganism, the enzyme is activated. The zymogens can be used to amplify detection assays.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting the presence or absence of fungi, for example, fungi growing on a sample, by contacting the sample with a substrate which is modified at least one fungal compound that is produced and/or secreted by the fungus. The substrate's modification, or lack thereof, indicates the presence or absence of the fungal compound in the sample. The present invention also features methods for identifying fungi, biosensors for detecting the presence or absence of fungi, and kits for detecting the presence or absence of fungi.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting an infection and for detecting the presence or absence of microorganisms, for example, wound pathogens in a sample, by contacting a sample with an enzyme produced and/or secreted by the bacteria, and detecting modification or the absence of modification of the substrate, as an indicator of the presence or absence of the enzyme in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria in a sample.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting a wound infection and for detecting the presence or absence of microorganisms, for example, wound pathogens in a sample, by contacting a sample with a cationic anti-microbial peptide that is degradable by an enzyme produced and/or secreted by a microorganism, and detecting degradation or the absence of degradation of the peptide, as an indicator of the presence or absence of the enzyme in the sample, and thus indicative of the presence or absence of a microorganism in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting a wound infection and for detecting the presence or absence of microorganisms, for example, wound pathogens in a sample, by contacting a sample with an enzyme produced and/or secreted by the bacteria, and detecting modification or the absence of modification of the substrate, as an indicator of the presence or absence of the enzyme in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria in a sample.

Abstract: Thymosin beta-4 (TB4), Thymosin beta-9 (TB9), and acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) are two proteins that possess the ability to bind lead in human tissue. These two proteins have a high affinity lead-binding region with a dissociation constant (Kd) of about 10?9 M that allows for a strong interaction between the metal and the protein. These proteins and their analogs and lead-binding fragments can be used to detect and remove lead from various media.