Abstract: Sample preparation can include obtaining a sample in the form of a liquid mixture and forcing the liquid mixture through a cavitation chamber at an optimal pressure for separating pathogens from particles in the mixture without fragmenting at least 30% of the pathogens. Apparatuses used for sample preparation methods can include a fluid circuit, a cavitation chamber incorporated into the fluid circuit and having a channel with first, second, and third cross-sectional areas, the second cross-sectional area being downstream of and smaller than the first cross-sectional with respect to fluid flow through the fluid circuit and the third cross-sectional area being larger than and downstream of the second cross-sectional area with respect to fluid flow through the fluid circuit. The apparatus can include a pump in fluid communication with the cavitation chamber and a pressure sensor positioned upstream of the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: Detecting a pathogen may include introducing a nonmagnetic metal into the sample where the nonmagnetic metal includes an antibody that is specific to the pathogen to form a complex of the nonmagnetic metal and the pathogen, removing the nonmagnetic metal that is not complexed with the pathogen from the sample, and detecting the presence of the nonmagnetic metal in the sample where the presence of the nonmagnetic metal indicates the presence of the pathogen.

Abstract: A device for rapid non-destructive genetic material collection can include a multi-reservoir array (202) and a movement mechanism. The multi-reservoir array (202) can include multiple reservoirs (204). A plurality of the multiple reservoirs (204) can include an abrasive surface (210) capable of retaining a source of genetic material in a liquid carrier. The abrasive surface (210) has a roughness. The movement mechanism can be operable to move the multi-reservoir array (202) in an oscillating motion sufficient to create relative movement between the abrasive surface (210) and the source of the genetic material in order to remove a portion of genetic material from the source of the genetic material without destroying the source of the genetic material or the portion of the genetic material that is removed.

Abstract: A device for rapid non-destructive genetic material collection can include a multi-reservoir array (202) and a movement mechanism. The multi-reservoir array (202) can include multiple reservoirs (204). A plurality of the multiple reservoirs (204) can include an abrasive surface (210) capable of retaining a source of genetic material in a liquid carrier. The abrasive surface (210) has a roughness. The movement mechanism can be operable to move the multi-reservoir array (202) in an oscillating motion sufficient to create relative movement between the abrasive surface (210) and the source of the genetic material in order to remove a portion of genetic material from the source of the genetic material without destroying the source of the genetic material or the portion of the genetic material that is removed.

Abstract: Detecting a pathogen may include introducing a nonmagnetic metal into the sample where the nonmagnetic metal includes an antibody that is specific to the pathogen to form a complex of the nonmagnetic metal and the pathogen, removing the nonmagnetic metal that is not complexed with the pathogen from the sample, and detecting the presence of the nonmagnetic metal in the sample where the presence of the nonmagnetic metal indicates the presence of the pathogen.

Abstract: Sample preparation can include obtaining a sample in the form of a liquid mixture and forcing the liquid mixture through a cavitation chamber at an optimal pressure for separating pathogens from particles in the mixture without fragmenting at least 30% of the pathogens. Apparatuses used for sample preparation methods can include a fluid circuit, a cavitation chamber incorporated into the fluid circuit and having a channel with first, second, and third cross-sectional areas, the second cross-sectional area being downstream of and smaller than the first cross-sectional with respect to fluid flow through the fluid circuit and the third cross-sectional area being larger than and downstream of the second cross-sectional area with respect to fluid flow through the fluid circuit. The apparatus can include a pump in fluid communication with the cavitation chamber and a pressure sensor positioned upstream of the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: Methods of electrochemically detecting or quantifying an analyte by coupling a plurality of redox-active agents (e.g., guanine-rich oligonucleotides) to the analyte are disclosed. More particularly, this application discloses affinity-based methods for isolating one or more analytes from a sample and subsequently detecting or determining the concentration of the one or more analytes. Detecting or determining the concentration of one or more analytes may involve measuring the extent of oxidation of guanine nucleobases that have been or are coupled to the analyte.