Abstract: A food defense system includes: a housing; at least one assay station mounted within the housing; at least one reagent station mounted within the housing; a supply of assay vessels residing within the housing; a conveyance unit configured to move the assay vessels to the at least one assay station; and a controller operatively connected with at least one of the at least one assay station, the conveyance unit, and the at least one reagent station.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, devices and methods for increasing the accuracy of an MPN, using assay instrumentation. For example, such embodiments can be accomplished by pre-loading the assays system with standard curves generated from measurements made with dilutions of known levels of pathogens. When such an approach is used, for each sample, the value from the last positive dilution and a calibrated assay count can both be used to provide a more accurate CFU per sample value than would be determined from just the last positive dilution alone.

Abstract: The subject disclosure presents, in some embodiments, is systems, devices and methods for multi-sample analyte analysis. In some such embodiments, a method is presented which includes labeling at least one target analyte in each of a plurality of individual samples with at least one unique label probe. The method further includes combining the plurality of individual samples into a mixture, and flowing the mixture within at least one fluidic channel/lane having arranged thereon or in fluid communication with at least one set of a plurality of spatially distinct capture zones. Embodiments of the present disclosure additionally relate to, among other things, systems, devices, and related methods for operating the same, to analyze and rapidly identify and quantify microbial pathogens in environmental, food, and clinical settings. Specifically, a rapid one-step FISH method where fixation, permeabilization and addition of fluorescent labeled probe all occur in one step on a ferrofluidic system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a microbial risk assessment for an entity are provided. Microbial data and non-microbial data are received and identified as corresponding to the entity and one or more biological processes associated with the entity. The microbial data and non-microbial data are mapped to one or more risk vectors impacting a state of the one or more biological processes. One or more risk vector ratings are determined for the one or more risk vectors based on the microbial and non-microbial data. A microbial risk assessment including a microbial risk rating for the entity is determined based on the one or more risk vector ratings, where the microbial risk assessment is indicative of a risk of the one or more biological processes to the entity. An expected loss value for the one or more biological processes associated with the entity is determined based on the microbial risk assessment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to ferrofluid-based assay methods, systems and device for detecting one or more parasite oocyst or egg, and more specifically, to detecting parasite oocysts or eggs in fecal matter of livestock, so as to determine parasitic infections within such livestock. Such embodiments are configured to help in the ability to maintain healthy livestock for human consumption.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, devices and methods for increasing the accuracy of an MPN, using assay instrumentation. For example, such embodiments can be accomplished by pre-loading the assays system with standard curves generated from measurements made with dilutions of known levels of pathogens. When such an approach is used, for each sample, the value from the last positive dilution and a calibrated assay count can both be used to provide a more accurate CFU per sample value than would be determined from just the last positive dilution alone.