Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. A first electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The first current through the counter electrode is varied such that a first electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. In some embodiments, a second electrical current is passed through the counter electrode such that a second electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. A first electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The first current through the counter electrode is varied such that a first electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. In some embodiments, a second electrical current is passed through the counter electrode such that a second electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. Electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The current through the counter electrode is varied such that the electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. Also described is an apparatus for reducing or preventing microbes on an object using a potentiostatic device.

Abstract: Describe is an apparatus for reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The apparatus comprises counter electrode, a reference electrode, and an electrical lead for attachment to the object such that the object can be used as the working electrode. A potentiostatic device is configured to pass electrical current through the working and counter electrodes. The current through the counter electrode is varied such that the electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. Electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The current through the counter electrode is varied such that the electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. Also described is an apparatus for reducing or preventing microbes on an object using a potentiostatic device.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. Electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The current through the counter electrode is varied such that the electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. Also described is an apparatus for reducing or preventing microbes on an object using a potentiostatic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for detecting Moraxella catarrhalis. The compositions are antibodies, proteins or nucleic acid sequences specific to Moraxella catarrhalis (M. catarrhalis). The method comprises the steps of obtaining a biological sample from an individual and detecting within the biological sample the presence of proteins, nucleic acid sequences and lipooligosaccharides (LOS) specific to Moraxella catarrhalis. Further, compositions and methods useful for distinguishing between M. catarrhalis serotypes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for detecting Moraxella catarrhalis. The compositions are antibodies, proteins or nucleic acid sequences specific to Moraxella catarrhalis (M. catarrhalis). The method comprises the steps of obtaining a biological sample from an individual and detecting within the biological sample the presence of proteins, nucleic acid sequences and lipooligosaccharides (LOS) specific to Moraxella catarrhalis. Further, compositions and methods useful for distinguishing between M. catarrhalis serotypes are provided.

Abstract: An isolated and purified outer membrane protein B1, and peptides formed therefrom, of Moraxella catarrhalis are described. A method for the isolation and purification of outer membrane protein B1 from a bacterial strain that produces B1 protein, e.g. Moraxella catarrhalis, comprises growing the bacteria in culture in iron-depleted medium to enhance the expression of the B1 protein, harvesting the bacteria from the culture, extracting from the harvested bacteria a preparation substantially comprising an outer membrane protein preparation, contacting the outer membrane preparation with an affinity matrix containing immobilized transferrin wherein B1 protein binds to the transferrin, and eluting the bound B1 protein from the transferrin. Disclosed are the uses of the B1 protein as an immunogen for vaccine formulations, and as antigens in diagnostic immunoassays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting the presence or absence of amplified nucleic acid products. The method comprises the addition of hapten-labeled nucleotide or target molecule-labeled nucleotide to an amplification reaction and after the amplification process assaying for the presence of nucleic acid products having incorporated hapten-labeled nucleotide or target molecule-labeled nucleotide. Immobilization and detection of the label is accomplished using an affinity molecule that binds specifically to the hapten or target molecule. Thus, detection of amplified nucleic acid products is direct and does not require hybridization with a labeled specific probe.