Abstract: Anti-microbial metabolites secreted from various bacterial and/or fungal species are described that have anti-bacterial activity against Xanthomonas species, which cause disease in plant hosts, including a wide variety of crops. Bacterial and fungal species producing such metabolites were identified from environmental samples (seeds, different vegetable organs and soil) from different geographic locations. Compositions, methods, uses, and kits relating to the identified anti-microbial metabolites are also described.

Abstract: We provide ZnO nanoporcupines and a coating comprising ZnO nanoporcupines. Each nanoporcupine comprises a ZnO stem attached by one end to said surface, and a plurality of ZnO nanospikes attached to and extending away from the surface of the stem, the nanospikes being spread across the surface of the stem. The nanoporcupines and coating have antibacterial properties. We also provide a method of producing the nanoporcupine/coating comprising the steps of immersing a surface with ZnO stem precursors in a reaction mixture comprising hexamethylenetetramine, up to about 1 mM of L-ascorbic acid, and up to about 1 mM of a zinc salt in deionized water, and heating the reaction mixture at a temperature between about 90° C. and about 95° C. to produce the ZnO nanoporcupines on the surface.

Abstract: Described herein are biopesticides having activity against Erwinia species, particularly against the fire blight phytopathogen Erwinia amylovora. The biopesticides comprise intact or vegetative cells, endospores, spores, and/or metabolites from one or more bacterial species or strains as active ingredients, wherein the vegetative cells, endospores, spores, and/or metabolites exhibit antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic Erwinia species or Erwinia amylovora.

Abstract: Anti-microbial metabolites secreted from various bacterial and/or fungal species are described that have anti-bacterial activity against Xanthomonas species, which cause disease in plant hosts, including a wide variety of crops. Bacterial and fungal species producing such metabolites were identified from environmental samples (seeds, different vegetable organs and soil) from different geographic locations. Compositions, methods, uses, and kits relating to the identified anti-microbial metabolites are also described.

Abstract: Anti-microbial metabolites secreted from various bacterial and/or fungal species are described that have anti-bacterial activity against Xanthomonas species, which cause disease in plant hosts, including a wide variety of crops. Bacterial and fungal species producing such metabolites were identified from environmental samples (seeds, different vegetable organs and soil) from different geographic locations. Compositions, methods, uses, and kits 5 relating to the identified anti-microbial metabolites are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are biopesticides having activity against Erwinia species, particularly against the fire blight phytopathogen Erwinia amylovora. The biopesticides comprise intact or vegetative cells, endospores, spores, and/or metabolites from one or more bacterial species or strains as active ingredients, wherein the vegetative cells, endospores, spores, and/or metabolites exhibit antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic Erwinia species or Erwinia amylovora.

Abstract: Anti-microbial metabolites secreted from various bacterial and/or fungal species are described that have anti-bacterial activity against Xanthomonas species, which cause disease in plant hosts, including a wide variety of crops. Bacterial and fungal species producing such metabolites were identified from environmental samples (seeds, different vegetable organs and soil) from different geographic locations. Compositions, methods, uses, and kits 5 relating to the identified anti-microbial metabolites are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying candidate compounds for treating, reducing, or preventing a pathogenic infection, the methods including: (a) contacting a pathogenic cell with a candidate compound; and (b) measuring the production of a molecule selected from the group consisting of an 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinoline (HAQ) molecule, 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ) molecule, or a derivative or precursor thereof in the cell, a candidate compound that reduces the production relative to production of the molecule by a cell not contacted with the candidate compound, identifying a candidate compound useful for treating, reducing, or preventing a pathogenic infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods that include the use of anti-infective compounds that potentiate the host-immune response or limit or prevent the expression or activity of individual virulence factors. In addition, the compositions have immunomodulatory activity, and therefore can be used to prime host defenses to prevent or limit bacterial, fungal, and viral viability. In the compositions and methods of the inventions, specific steps of the bacterial-, fungal-, or viral-host interaction are targeted to prevent pathogenesis (e.g., infection). Such an approach should prevent pathogenic organisms from acquiring resistance to the protective anti-infective compounds.

Abstract: The present invention features improved methods for treating, stabilizing, or preventing a bacterial or a fungal infection in a plant or an animal, such as a mammal. In particular, these methods involve the use of a compound, that is controlled by MvfR, and that affects the expression of an MvfR protein or that promotes its modification or inactivation, or a compound produced by P. aeruginosa strain PA14, but not by P. aeruginosa containing an mvfR mutation, in late stationary phase cultures.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods that include the use of anti-infective compounds that potentiate the host-immune response or limit or prevent the expression or activity of individual virulence factors. In addition, the compositions have immunomodulatory activity, and therefore can be used to prime host defenses to prevent or limit bacterial, fungal, and viral viability. In the compositions and methods of the inventions, specific steps of the bacterial-, fungal-, or viral-host interaction are targeted to prevent pathogenesis (e.g., infection). Such an approach should prevent pathogenic organisms from acquiring resistance to the protective anti-infective compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying candidate compounds for treating, reducing, or preventing a pathogenic infection, the methods including: (a) contacting a pathogenic cell with a candidate compound; and (b) measuring the production of a molecule selected from the group consisting of an 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinoline (HAQ) molecule, 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ) molecule, or a derivative or precursor thereof in the cell, a candidate compound that reduces the production relative to production of the molecule by a cell not contacted with the candidate compound, identifying a candidate compound useful for treating, reducing, or preventing a pathogenic infection.

Abstract: The present invention features improved methods for treating, stabilizing, or preventing a bacterial or a fungal infection in a plant or an animal, such as a mammal. In particular, these methods involve the use of a compound, that is controlled by MvfR, and that affects the expression of an MvfR protein or that promotes its modification or inactivation, or a compound produced by P. aeruginosa strain PA14, but not by P. aeruginosa containing an mvfR mutation, in late stationary phase culture.