Abstract: A method of making and loading a chromatography column includes selecting a column tube having an appropriate elasticity, and inner diameter and length, selecting appropriately sized flow distributors, a second flow distributor having a diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the tube, permanently securing a first flow distributor to a first end of the tube, loading packing medium into the tube, inserting the second flow distributor into a second end of the tube to drive the second flow distributor into the tube to form a sealed chamber within the tube, adjusting the longitudinal position of the second flow distributor within the tube by applying a force to the second flow distributor until it reaches a desired location within the tube, and/or forcing liquid into the chamber to move the second flow distributor and permanently securing the properly positioned second flow distributor within the tube.

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.