Abstract: Described herein, are compositions and methods for preserving human milk, preventing rancidity of human milk, extending shelf life of human milk, and maintaining the nutritional properties of human milk. Specifically, the present disclosure provides, among other things, devices for storing preserved human milk and methods and compositions for preserving the same.

Abstract: Recombinant phages that infect and kill bacterial hosts in response to user-defined inputs are provided. The components that encode the user-defined inputs can be combined, such that multiple inputs are maintained on a single recombinant phage, enabling precise control over the targeting strategy. The phages can be engineered to kill a specific bacterial species or multiple species simultaneously. Recombinant phages can also be engineered to harbor fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter genes that enable them to be used for tracking, detection, and in biosensing applications. Recombinant phages can also be used to lyse bacterial cells that produce recombinant proteins, as a rapid method to enable extraction and high-level purification of potentially valuable and/or industrially important proteins. Systems are provided that can be used to control the activity of a protein of interest, by taking advantage of an interaction between Qtip and a phage repressor protein.

Abstract: Described herein, are compositions and methods for preserving human milk, preventing rancidity of human milk, extending shelf life of human milk, and maintaining the nutritional properties of human milk. Specifically, the present disclosure provides, among other things, devices for storing preserved human milk and methods and compositions for preserving the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant phages that infect and kill bacterial hosts in response to user-defined inputs. The components that encode the user-defined inputs can be combined, such that multiple inputs are maintained on a single recombinant phage, enabling precise control over the targeting strategy. The phages can be engineered to kill a specific bacterial species or multiple species simultaneously. Recombinant phages can also be engineered to harbor fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter genes that enable them to be used for tracking, detection, and in biosensing applications. Recombinant phages can also be used to lyse bacterial cells that produce recombinant proteins, as a rapid method to enable extraction and high-level purification of potentially valuable and/or industrially important proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising Quorum-Sensing (QS) modulating molecules attached to a surface via a linker. This QS modulator attached surface can then be used to modulate QS, biofilm production, biofilm streamer production and/or virulence factor production. The length of the linker that attaches the QS modulating molecule to the surface as well as the surface coverage density impact QS modulation on surfaces. These QS modulator attached surfaces can be used to treat areas known to contain human pathogens notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections as well as fatal infections that occur outside of health care settings. Other surfaces that can be coated according to embodiments of the invention include abiotic materials, such as intravenous catheters, implants, medical devices, and cooling towers. Preferred microorganisms that can be treated with the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to S. aureus and/or P. aeruginosa.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for inhibiting or agonizing quorum sensing (QS) pathways to repress biofilm formation, biofilm streamer formation, virulence factor production, and/or infections (including bacterial infections and bacterial infections with resistance to antibiotics) by: (a) a monotherapy using novel compounds, such as small molecule inhibitors or agonists, to inhibit or activate QS activation pathways and/or (b) a combination therapy including novel compounds to inhibit or activate QS and/or to sensitize bacteria to phage along with phage therapy. These compositions can be used to treat patients having infections. Additionally, these compositions can be used to treat surfaces/areas known to contain human pathogens notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections (such as intravenous catheters, implants, medical devices) as well as fatal infections that occur outside of health care settings.

Abstract: A structurally distinct and potent series of synthetic small molecule activators of Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing have been chemically synthesized. The small molecule activators reduce virulence in V. cholerae. Acyl pyrrole molecules displayed strong potency and stability, particularly 1-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)decan-1-one.

Abstract: According to present invention embodiments, a trackable moiety can be attached to a quorum sensing (QS) molecule to form a QS modulating conjugate. QS modulating conjugates retain their activity for QS manipulation and are able to be detected by imaging techniques. The QS portion of the QS modulating conjugate can play a role in affecting bacterial behaviors, such as, inhibition of biofilms or disruption of toxin production, while the trackable moiety of the QS modulating conjugate enables monitoring, visualization in real time of its binding to the receptor on the bacterial surface, and the location of the bacterium itself, for example, in a biofilm and/or at an infection site. Since binding of the QS modulating conjugate to its cognate receptor is specific, the QS modulating conjugate can be used for diagnostic applications by enabling pinpointing of specific bacteria at infection sites.

Abstract: A structurally distinct and potent series of synthetic small molecule activators of Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing have been chemically synthesized. The small molecule activators reduce virulence in V. cholerae. Acyl pyrrole molecules displayed strong potency and stability, particularly 1-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)decan-1-one.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising QS modulating molecules attached to a surface via a linker. This QS modulator attached surface can then be used to modulate QS, biofilm production, biofilm streamer production and/or virulence factor production. The length of the linker that attaches the QS modulating molecule to the surface as well as the surface coverage density are features that impact QS modulation on surfaces. These QS modulator attached surfaces can be used to treat areas known to contain human pathogens notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections as well as fatal infections that occur outside of health care settings. Other surfaces that can be coated according to embodiments of the invention include abiotic materials, such as intravenous catheters, implants, medical devices, and cooling towers. Preferred microorganisms that can be treated with the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to S. aureus and/or P. aeruginosa.

Abstract: A structurally distinct and potent series of synthetic small molecule activators of Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing have been chemically synthesized. The small molecule activators reduce virulence in V. cholerae. Acyl pyrrole molecules displayed strong potency and stability, particularly 1-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)decan-1-one.

Abstract: Methods and systems of measuring biofilms and/or biofilm streamers are presented. The system has at least one channel, a biofilm streamer promotion element, a fluid capable of moving along the channel, wherein the fluid has a flow driven by a controlled pressure; and a measuring element capable of measuring a flow rate of the fluid through the channel. Additionally, methods of screening for compound(s) that promote and/or inhibit biofilm and/or biofilm streamers using this system are also presented. Uses of the system, methods and identified compounds are presented for medical and/or industrial environments.

Abstract: Antivirulence strategies to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are described. One strategy encompasses synthesis of a series of compounds that inhibit the production of pyocyanin, a redox-active virulence factor produced by this pathogen. A related strategy encompasses synthesis of compounds that inhibit the two P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing receptors, LasR and RhlR, inhibit production of pyocyanin, and inhibit biofilm formation.

Abstract: Using a whole-cell high-throughput screen, eleven molecules were identified that activate V. cholerae quorum sensing (QS). Eight molecules are receptor agonists and three molecules are antagonists of LuxO, the central NtrC-type response regulator that controls the global V. cholerae QS cascade. Pro-QS molecules are used for the development of novel anti-infectives.

Abstract: Antivirulence strategies to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are described. One strategy encompasses synthesis of a series of compounds that inhibit the production of pyocyanin, a redox-active virulence factor produced by this pathogen. A related strategy encompasses synthesis of compounds that inhibit the two P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing receptors, LasR and RhlR, inhibit production of pyocyanin, and inhibit biofilm formation.

Abstract: A novel small molecule antagonizes two types of acyl homoserine lactone receptors: membrane-bound and cytoplasmic. A focused library of analogs and derivatives of the original antagonist was synthesized. Analog and derivative molecules harbor a range of activities. The novel small molecule and most potent antagonist protects the eukaryote Caenorhabditis elegans from quorum-sensing-mediated killing by the bacterial pathogen Chromobacterium violaceum. The saving of C. elegans demonstrates the use of these molecules as small molecule antimicrobials.

Abstract: A novel small molecule antagonizes two types of acyl homoserine lactone receptors: membrane-bound and cytoplasmic. A focused library of analogs and derivatives of the original antagonist was synthesized. Analog and derivative molecules harbor a range of activities. The novel small molecule and most potent antagonist protects the eukaryote Caenorhabditis elegans from quorum-sensing-mediated killing by the bacterial pathogen Chromobacterium violaceum. The saving of C. elegans demonstrates the use of these molecules as small molecule antimicrobials.

Abstract: A novel small molecule antagonizes two types of acyl homoserine lactone receptors: membrane-bound and cytoplasmic. A focused library of analogs and derivatives of the original antagonist was synthesized. Analog and derivative molecules harbor a range of activities. The novel small molecule and most potent antagonist protects the eukaryote Caenorhabditis elegans from quorum-sensing-mediated killing by the bacterial pathogen Chromobacterium violaceum. The saving of C. elegans demonstrates the use of these molecules as small molecule antimicrobials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring biofilms and/or biofilm streamers, wherein the method comprises a system that has at least one channel and a biofilm streamer promotion element, a fluid capable of moving along the channel, wherein the fluid has a flow driven by a controlled pressure; and a measuring element capable of measuring a flow rate of the fluid through the channel. Additionally, method of screening for compound(s) that promote and/or inhibit biofilm and/or biofilm streamers using this system are also contemplated. Uses of the system, methods and identified compounds are contemplated for medical and/or industrial environments.

Abstract: Using a whole-cell high-throughput screen, eleven molecules were identified that activate V. cholerae quorum sensing (QS). Eight molecules are receptor agonists and three molecules are antagonists of LuxO, the central NtrC-type response regulator that controls the global V. cholerae QS cascade. Pro-QS molecules are used for the development of novel anti-infectives.