Abstract: The present invention recognizes that separation of components of a sample facilitate, and are often necessary for, sample analysis. Dielectrophoretic separation provides an efficient, reliable, nondisruptive, and automatable method for the separation of moieties in a sample based on their dielectric properties. The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing the dielectrophoretic separation of one or more moieties in a sample. A first aspect of the present invention is a solution that when mixed with a sample, modifies at least one dielectric property of one or more components of the sample and has a conductivity such that one or more moieties of the sample can be separated using dielectrophoresis. Such solutions can be used in the analysis of samples on chips, and can be used in methods that use binding partners, including microparticles that can be translocated by dielectrophoretic forces, traveling-wave dielectrophoretic forces or magnetic forces.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of food allergy or food intolerance and their cross-reactive tissue antigens is disclosed. The method includes determining a level of antibodies against a dietary antigen in a mucosal sample from the patient and comparing the level with normal levels of the antibodies. Dietary antigens that were tested include milk and milk products; eggs and egg products; meat and meat products; fish, mollusks, and crustaceans and their products; oils, fats, and their products; grains and grain products; pulses, seed, kernels, nuts, and their products; vegetable and vegetable products; fruit and fruit products; sugar, sugar product, chocolate products, and confectionary; and spices.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) (LL and/or L toxins) and HA-negative progenitor toxin (M toxin) from a Clostridium botulinum strain is provided. The method comprises applying a liquid containing both the HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) and the HA-negative progenitor toxin to a lactose column. Also provided is a method for separating and purifying neurotoxin (7S toxin) from HA-positive progenitor toxins, which comprises treating HA-positive progenitor toxins with an alkaline buffer and then applying the resulting liquid containing dissociated neurotoxin and non-toxic components to a lactose column. Activated pure HA-positive toxins (L and LL toxins) and neurotoxin are obtained by simple procedures.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of functional antibodies and the analysis of vaccine efficacy are described. In particular, the present invention provides opsonophagocytic assays. The assays are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different functional antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple colors and/or intensities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding and detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antigens in blood of infected individuals. The H. pylori antigens are components of H. pylori cells which include, but not limited to DNA, RNA, and fragments of nucleotides, proteins or peptides. H. pylori DNA, RNA, and fragments of nucleotides can be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), or DNA hybridization methods or other amplification methods. H. pylori proteins or peptides or other antigenic components thereof can be detected by immunoassays or immunoblot using an antibody against H. pylori, preferably an antibody purified by an affinity column. The present invention further provides immunoassay methods, diagnostic kits, and an immunochromatographic assay device for detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens in serum samples.

Abstract: A method of vaccinating poultry by spraying the poultry with an effective amount of a live avirulent derivative of an enteropathogenic enterobacteria is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining a cause for digestive and immune disorders is disclosed. The method determines the levels of antibodies against normal intestinal microflora and food antigens. It then compares the results to normal levels to determine the cause. The test can be used to diagnose food allergy or intolerance, microflora imbalance, gut barrier dysfunction, bacterial translocation, immunodeficiencies, candidiasis and autoimmunities.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting and localizing light originating from a mammal are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for targeting light emission to selected regions, as well as for tracking entities within the mammal. In addition, animal models for disease states are disclosed, as are methods for localizing and tracking the progression of disease or a pathogen within the animal, and for screening putative therapeutic compounds effective to inhibit the disease or pathogen.

Abstract: A magnetic focusing immunosensor for the detection of pathogens comprising a laser, an exciting fiber and a collecting fiber, a fiber optic magnetic probe in communication with the collecting and exciting fibers and means for detecting, collecting and measuring fluorescent signals in communication with the collecting fiber. The probe and the collecting and exciting fibers are configured to focus paramagnetic microspheres attached to antigen/antibody/optically labeled complexes in a predetermined pattern in the field of view of the collecting fiber while blocking background interference.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which can bind to the Fnbp protein of Staphylococcus aureus and which are generated from a peptide from the D2 region of fibronectin binding protein B (Fnbp) of S. aureus are provided which can be useful in the treatment and protection against infection from staphylococcal bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention are advantageous in that they bind S. aureus in high affinity and thus can be useful in the prevention of the adherence of staph bacteria to host cells by impairing or inhibiting the ability of S. aureus Fnbp to bind to fibronectin. Kits and methods of utilizing the monoclonal antibodies of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel coumarin based fluorogenic compounds useful in assaying for biological activity. Specifically, these fluorogenic compounds exhibit fluorescence at particular wavelengths when cleaved by target enzymes. Preferred compounds include sugar and peptide derivatives of umbelliferone derivatives bearing a heterocyclic five membered ring at the 3-position. These compounds can be used for rapidly detecting food pathogens and for determining sterilization effectiveness. The compounds may also be used in a form bounded to a polymeric support or to a biomolecule or macromolecule.

Abstract: The presence or absence of a target microbial analyte in a substance, such as a biological or environmental substance, is assayed by inoculating a sterile growth media with a sample of the substance. The media may be combined with a labeled analyte-specific material (LASM) which can migrate through the substrate and which is homogeneously distributed throughout the media. The LASM may be premixed with the media, or may be added to the media after inoculation with the substance. The nature of the media is such that it will support target analyte reproduction so as to form target analyte colonies in or on the media, and it will not allow the target analyte colonies to migrate within the media. After the sample to be assayed is added to the media, growth of the target analyte colonies in the sample will bind increasing quantities of the LASM, thereby creating localized intensely labeled areas in the media which can be visually or photometrically detected.

Abstract: A truncated SE fimbria antigen useful as an antigen for immunoassay diagnosis of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection or evidence of infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for immobilizing a polysaccharide (PS) to a solid surface, said polysaccharide having a keto-carboxy group (—C(═O)—COOH) or a ketal or hemiketal group corresponding thereto, e.g. derived from KDO (2-keto-3-deoxy-D-manno-octonic acid)), the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a covalent bond between the carboxy group of the polysaccharide and a reporter molecule (RM), thereby forming a polysaccharide-reporter molecule conjugate (PS-RM), said reporter molecule comprising a recognition/substrate site (e.g. biotin or an anthraquinone); and (b) immobilizing the polysaccharide-report molecule conjugate by forming a specific bond (e.g. by photocoupling or formation of an affinity pair) between the recognition/substrate site of said reporter molecule and a reception/reagent site of the solid surface. The present invention also provides a solid surface thus obtainable and the use of such solid surfaces for diagnostic purposes, e.g.

Abstract: A fluorescent fiber-optic biosensor system using ultrasonic concentration of particles and cells for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium. A biosensor test chamber serves as an ultrasonic standing-wave cell that allows microspheres or cells to be concentrated in parallel layers or in a column along the axis of the cell. A fiber probe along the axis delivers laser excitation to fluorescent-labeled antibodies of Salmonella and collects the fluorescent signal. The Salmonella-antibody complexes are moved acoustically to the axis of the cell, increasing the fluorescent signal. Alternatively, the Salmonella-labelled antibody complexes attach to unlabeled antibodies that have been immobilized on the surface of polystyrene microspheres. This entire structure can be manipulated acoustically and the increase in the fluorescent signal, which can be an order of magnitude, indicates the presence of Salmonella.

Abstract: Compositions, formulae, devices and methods for the detection of target microorganisms, such as by visual immunoprecipitate assay, enzyme linked immunoassay, chemiluminescence, immunoblotting, or similar detection technology, wherein detection requires the discrimination among closely related genera, species and strains of antigenically related microorganisms based on immunological reactivity of a highly conserved antigen epitopes with a reagent system comprised of an antibody linked to a detecting reagent. The invention permits a detectable event to occur by exposing inaccessible but highly conserved and specific antigen epitopes to the detecting reagent. Exposure of such antigen epitopes without inactivating microbial metabolism allows for specific detection.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, compositions and kits for concentrating target ligands, including microorganisms, from samples, including biological samples. The methods involve the use of magnetic particles to concentrate the target analytes. Also provided are methods, compositions and kits for detecting the presence of target ligands in samples.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting and localizing light originating from a mammal are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for tracking light emission to selected regions, as well as for tracking entities within the mammal. In addition, animal models for disease states are disclosed, as are methods for localizing and tracking the progression of disease or a pathogen within the animal, and for screening putative therapeutic compounds effective to inhibit the disease or pathogen.

Abstract: A means for the rapid detection of bacteria from a liquid culture or slurry is described. A membrane mounted on a solid support is immersed in a liquid culture for a time sufficient to allow bacteria to adhere to the membrane, the membrane is removed from the culture and the number of bacteria adhering to the membrane is counted. The membrane may be either an inanimate membrane or a biological membrane. A test kit for use in the method is also described.