Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for detecting the presence of advanced glycosylation endproducts using the unexpected discovery that certain antibacterial proteins, in particular lysozyme and lactoferrin, bind to advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) with high affinity, and that this binding activity is substantially noncompetitive with binding of bacterial carbohydrates to the antibacterial proteins. Accordingly, the invention relates to diagnostic methods for diseases and disorders associated with increased levels of AGEs, by using compositions having associated therewith a molecule having a hydrophilic loop domain, which domain is associated with AGE-binding activity, and compositions comprising such a domain. The invention further relates to compositions and devices for partitioning AGEs away from a sample.