Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to methods of inhibiting bacterial growth. Generally, the methods include exposing bacteria to an anti-bacterial compound as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the exposing occurs in vivo in a subject in order to treat or prevent a bacterial infection. In additional embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to anti-bacterial compounds that are suitable for inhibiting bacterial growth.

Abstract: The present invention is antibiotic compositions having the ability to disrupt a MazEF complex in S. aureus. The compositions also have the ability to inhibit growth of S. aureus and as such are useful as antibiotic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating CA-MRSA infections in patients. The methods are based on the finding that combining cefoxitin and a synthetic penicillin in a treatment regimen results in a synergistic effect of the two drugs, an effect that is related to PBP4 activity in CA-MRSA isolates. Also provided is a CA-MRSA-specific biomarker which can be used to detect the presence of a CA-MRSA infection in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for screening drugs or antibiotic activity by screening a drug for activity to disrupt a toxin-antitoxin complex in a bacterial cell.

Abstract: The present invention is antibiotic compositions having the ability to disrupt a MazEF complex in S. aureus. The compositions also have the ability to inhibit growth of S. aureus and as such are useful as antibiotic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for screening drugs for antibiotic activity by screening a drug for activity to disrupt a toxin-antitoxin complex in a bacterial cell.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for screening drugs for antibiotic activity by screening a drug for activity to disrupt a toxin-antitoxin complex in a bacterial cell.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating CA-MRSA infections in patients. The methods are based on the finding that combining cefoxitin and a synthetic penicillin in a treatment regimen results in a synergistic effect of the two drugs, an effect that is related to PBP4 activity in CA-MRSA isolates. Also provided is a CA-MRSA-specific biomarker which can be used to detect the presence of a CA-MRSA infection in a patient.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence which regulates the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity also are provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence required for regulating the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by the gene or mutant gene as well as vector and host cells for expressing these polypeptides. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene or mutant gene or polypeptides encoded thereby to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence which regulates the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity also are provided.

Abstract: A novel sarR gene and sarR gene product which down regulates the expression of sarA and the resulting virulence determinants in Staphylococcus aureus is provided. Methods for modulating the expression of sarA and virulence determinants are also provided. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides structural information relating to the gene product and enables the identification and formulation of lead compounds and reducements for treating and preventing infections by S. aureus and related bacteria.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence required for regulating the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by the gene or mutant gene as well as vector and host cells for expressing these polypeptides. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene or mutant gene or polypeptides encoded thereby to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence which regulates the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity also are provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence required for regulating the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by the gene or mutant gene as well as vector and host cells for expressing these polypeptides. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene or mutant gene or polypeptides encoded thereby to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence which regulates the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity also are provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence which regulates the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid sequences or mutants thereof as well as vector and host cells for expressing these polypeptides. Methods for identifying and using agents which prevent or reduce multiple antibiotic resistance also are provided.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence required for regulating the autolytic activity of bacteria is provided. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by the gene or mutant gene as well as vector and host cells for expressing these polypeptides. Methods for identifying and using agents which interact with the gene or mutant gene or polypeptides encoded thereby to inhibit bacterial growth and infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a staphylococcal accessory regulatory protein sar, and the gene encoding that protein(sar). This protein relates to the recognition and control of bacterial infections, particularly infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The sar protein and gene are thus useful in preventing or treating staph infections, and in diagnostic kits and assays for detecting the presence of the sar protein and sar gene.

Abstract: A reagent, method and container for the isolation of cellular components such as ribonucleic acid (RNA) from cells in a liquid solution. The container includes a cover assembly and a holder which is normally closed by the cover assembly and contains an RNA extractant solvent, micron-sized particles and at least one larger particle suitably of millimeter size. The container contains the reagent, which is an extractant solvent which contains phenol and guanidinium thiocyanate or guanidinium chloride and has a pH of about 4. The container also includes a friable sealing layer which separates the extractant solvent from the liquid medium containing the cells until the container is reciprocally shaken. The method includes the reciprocal shaking of the container, wherein the larger particle breaks the friable layer to permit mixing of the liquid medium with the extractant solvent resulting in the breaking of the cell walls by the micron-size beads and the release of the RNA.