Abstract: System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

Abstract: An organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device is disclosed that mimics a human lymph node and/or human lymphoid tissue. The device can include cells from human blood and lymphatic tissue, include an extracellular matrix for the development of immune system components, and provide for the perfusion of fluids and solids resembling blood and lymphatic fluid within micrometer sized channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to methods for detection of microbes and microbe components. In some embodiments of any of the aspects, the methods comprise methods of microbe isolation, sample preparation, mass spectrometry, or analysis. In some embodiments of any of the aspects, such methods can be applied to detect at least one microbe or at least one microbial component in a sample, including not limited to a patient sample, an animal model sample, an environmental sample, or a non-biological sample.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is directed to sustaining a complex microbial community in direct and indirect contact with living human intestinal cells in vitro. The device includes a first microchannel having cultured cells of a human intestinal epithelium and microbiota, the first microchannel further having a first level of oxygen. The device further includes a second microchannel having cultured cells of a vascular endothelium, the second microchannel further having a second level of oxygen. The device also includes a membrane located at an interface region between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the membrane being composed of an oxygen-permeable material or further having pores via which oxygen flows between the first microchannel and the second microchannel to form a physiologically-relevant oxygen gradient.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, kits comprising the same, and uses thereof. Such microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, or the kits comprising the same can not only bind or capture of a microbe or microbial matter thereof, but they also have improved capability (e g, enhanced sensitivity or signal intensity) of detecting a microbe or microbial matter. Thus, the microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, and/or the kit described herein can be used in various applications, e.g., but not limited to assays for detection of a microbe or microbial matter, diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents for diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes in a subject or any environmental surface, and/or devices for removal of a microbe or microbial matter from a fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules, kits comprising the same and uses thereof. Some particular embodiments of the microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules comprise a carbohydrate recognition domain of mannose-binding lectin, or a fragment thereof, linked to a portion of a Fc region. In some embodiments, the microbe-targeting molecules or microbe-binding molecules can be conjugated to a substrate, e.g., a magnetic microbead, forming a microbe-targeting substrate (e.g., a microbe-targeting magnetic microbead). Such microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates and the kits comprising the same can bind and/or capture of a microbe and/or microbial matter thereof, and can thus be used in various applications, e.g., diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes such as sepsis in a subject or any environmental surface.

Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides, compositions, kits, and analyte detection systems for the detection of the presence or absence of small molecules (e.g. histamine and/or histidine) in a test sample.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, kits comprising the same, and uses thereof. Such microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, or the kits comprising the same can bind or capture of a microbe or microbial matter thereof, and can thus be used in various applications, such as diagnosis or treatment of an infection caused by microbes in a subject or any environmental surface.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for inducing Type I interferon production. The compositions described comprise immunostimulatory oligonucleotide duplexes including a 5? terminal monophosphate-CUGA-3? (SEQ ID NO. 1) sequence. Compositions comprising the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide duplexes described can be used for the treatment of diseases or disorders that respond to interferons.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to a swab for sample collection. In one aspect, the swab comprises a sample collection head, which comprises a plurality of spaced annular rings. In one embodiment, the swab further comprises a tapered neck and a handle. In one embodiment, the swab is injection-molded using polypropylene. In other aspects, described herein are swabs comprising a water-soluble or biodegradable material. In additional aspects, described herein are kits comprising said swabs and methods of using said swabs.

Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

Abstract: A method for micro-molding a polymeric membrane and including pouring a predetermined volume of curable polymer unto a micro-fabricated mold having a post array with pillars, and overlaying the polymer with a support substrate. A spacer, such as a rubber spacer, is placed in contact with the support substrate and a force is applied to an exposed side of the spacer to compress the support substrate and the polymer together. While applying the force, the polymer is cured on the mold for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature to form a polymeric membrane having a pore array with a plurality of pores corresponding to the plurality of pillars of the post array. The polymeric membrane is removed from the support substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions and methods of producing such compositions. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a pathogen infection, methods of vaccinating a subject against a pathogen infection, and methods for treating an antibiotic-resistance bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof. In further embodiments, the invention includes methods of decreasing the level of a pathogen in a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of increasing the surviving rate of a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of reducing the level of pain associated with a pathogen infection, and methods of reducing the level of distress associated with a pathogen infection in a subject in need thereof. Novel scaffold compositions and opsonin-bound or lectin-bound pathogen compositions, and uses thereof, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for promoting biostasis or preservation of a cell, tissue or organ during cancer treatment or for transplantation comprising contacting the cell, tissue or organ with an agonist of the ?-opioid receptor, SNC-80, an or Donepezil. Further provided herein is a method of treating a hematological neoplastic disease.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to assays and devices for detecting a target molecule in a sample. In particular, there is described a lateral assay comprising a plurality of serially oriented capture zones, where each capture zone independently comprises an immobilized competitive molecule on a lateral flow matrix. The immobilized competitive molecule and the analyte competitively bind with a capture agent capable of binding the analyte.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to electrochemical readout of rapid diagnostics related to use of CRISPR effector systems. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a nucleic acid detection system. Generally, the system comprises: (1) a detection CRISPR system comprising an effector protein and one or more guide nucleic acid (gNA) strands designed to bind to corresponding target nucleic acid molecules; (2) an effector strand and (3) an electrode.

Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.