Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides and formulations thereof. The peptides and/or formulations are effective to kill or to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of various bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the rapid and specific detection of target microorganisms, cells, and the like. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a target microorganism (e.g., in a sample) with a permeabilization reagent that selectively permeabilizes or lyses the microorganism; contacting the selectively permeabilized microorganism with a detection reagent that is taken into the selectively permeabilized organism or that contacts metabolites or enzymes released by the selectively permeabilized microorganism, where the detection reagent produces a signal in the presence of said metabolites or enzymes; and detecting a signal produced by the detection reagent in the presence of the metabolites or enzymes wherein the strength of the signal indicates the presence and/or amount of the target microorganism in the sample.

Abstract: This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.

Abstract: This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.

Abstract: This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.

Abstract: This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for inducing hair growth and/or inhibiting hair loss and/or inducing nail growth in a mammal. In various embodiments the methods involve administering, e.g., to a mammal in need thereof, a calcium-binding peptide and/or peptide-like moiety in an amount sufficient to induce hair growth and/or to inhibit hair loss. In certain embodiments the agent is topically and/or transdermally administered.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides and formulations thereof. The peptides and/or formulations are effective to kill or to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of various bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides and formulations thereof. The peptides and/or formulations are effective to kill or to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of various bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides and formulations thereof. The peptides and/or formulations are effective to kill or to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of various bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain chemical compounds isolated from Chinese medicinal herbs are useful as anti-microbial agents, e.g., anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, and the like. In particular, the present invention provides compositions useful for treating microbial infections such as, for example, oral microbial infections, including periodontal disease and dental caries.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that interspecies quorum sensing is related to biofilm formation. The present invention provides methods useful for treating or preventing biofilm formation and microbial infections associated with biofilm formation by using an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal. The present invention also provides compositions containing an anti-micorbial agent and an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a composition that provides targeted anti-microbial effect. Specifically the composition contains a targeting moiety which recognizes a target microbial organism and an anti-microbial peptide moiety which has anti-microbial activity. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating a microbial infection, e.g., on mucosal surfaces by using the compositions provided by the present invention.