Abstract: A composition, transgenic organism, and method of protecting against desiccation or heat are provided. The composition includes a DtpA protein or complement thereof and a heterologous biologic. The transgenic organism includes the nucleic acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1. The method includes contacting a heterologous biologic or organism with a DtpA protein and/ or a complement thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identification and discrimination of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in a biological fluid. The method includes illuminating the biological fluid with a beam of light; obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated biological fluid; and finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains from the obtained Raman data, so as to identify and discriminate each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in the biological fluid from the Raman signatures.

Abstract: A cell, isolated nucleic acid, vector, isolated polypeptide, and method of treating a bacterial infection are provided. The cell includes a modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell having a mutation in an A. baumannii gene selected from a mutation that occurs when generating mutations in A. baumanni using transposon mutagenesis. The isolated nucleic acid includes a sequence expressing a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The vector includes the isolated nucleic acid. The isolated polypeptide includes a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The method of treating a bacterial infection includes administering to a subject an effective amount of an Acinetobacter baumannii composition including modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identification and discrimination of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in a biological fluid. The method includes illuminating the biological fluid with a beam of light; obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated biological fluid; and finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains from the obtained Raman data, so as to identify and discriminate each type of bacteria and/or mutant bacterial strains in the biological fluid from the Raman signatures.

Abstract: A cell, isolated nucleic acid, vector, isolated polypeptide, and method of treating a bacterial infection are provided. The cell includes a modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell having a mutation in an A. baumannii gene selected from a mutation that occurs when generating mutations in A. baumanni using transposon mutagenesis. The isolated nucleic acid includes a sequence expressing a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The vector includes the isolated nucleic acid. The isolated polypeptide includes a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The method of treating a bacterial infection includes administering to a subject an effective amount of an Acinetobacter baumannii composition including modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter include activators of HssRS that induce endogenous heme biosynthesis by perturbing central metabolism. These molecules are toxic to fermenting S. aureus, including clinically relevant small colony variants (SCVs). The utility of targeting fermenting bacteria is exemplified by the fact that this compound prevents the emergence of antibiotic resistance, enhances phagocyte killing, and reduces S. aureus pathogenesis. This small molecule is a powerful tool not only for studying bacterial heme biosynthesis and central metabolism, but also establishes targeting of fermentation as a viable antibacterial strategy.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection involves administering an effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein R1 is H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R2 is H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R3 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R4 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R5 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R6 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R7 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R8 is —CR3, O, S, wherein R5 and R6, R7 and R6, R5 and R4, R4 and R3 can cyclize forming a 3-10 member ring comprising C, O, S, and/or N optionally substituted with one or more R3; and administering light therapy, such as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) light source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter include activators of HssRS that induce endogenous heme biosynthesis by perturbing central metabolism. These molecules are toxic to fermenting S. aureus, including clinically relevant small colony variants (SCVs). The utility of targeting fermenting bacteria is exemplified by the fact that this compound prevents the emergence of antibiotic resistance, enhances phagocyte killing, and reduces S. aureus pathogenesis. This small molecule is a powerful tool not only for studying bacterial heme biosynthesis and central metabolism, but also establishes targeting of fermentation as a viable antibacterial strategy.

Abstract: A cell, isolated nucleic acid, vector, isolated polypeptide, and method of treating a bacterial infection are provided. The cell includes a modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell having a mutation in an A. baumannii gene selected from a mutation that occurs when generating mutations in A. baumannii using transposon mutagenesis. The isolated nucleic acid includes a sequence expressing a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The vector includes the isolated nucleic acid. The isolated polypeptide includes a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The method of treating a bacterial infection includes administering to a subject an effective amount of an Acinetobacter baumannii composition including modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection involves administering an effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein R1 is H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R2 is H, halogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R3 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R4 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R5 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R6 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R7 is H, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, amino sulfonyl, acetamide, R8 is —CR3, O, S, wherein R5 and R6, R7 and R6, R5 and R4, R4 and R3 can cyclize forming a 3-10 member ring comprising C, O, S, and/or N optionally substituted with one or more R3; and administering light therapy, such as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) light source.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection or an abscessed tissue in a subject includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a metal ion chelator. In some embodiments, the metal ion chelator can be a protein, such as a calprotectin heterodimer. In some embodiments, the metal ion chelator is a calprotectin heterodimer including an S100A8 polypeptide and an S100A9 polypeptide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter include activators of HssRS that induce endogenous heme biosynthesis by perturbing central metabolism. These molecules are toxic to fermenting S. aureus, including clinically relevant small colony variants (SCVs). The utility of targeting fermenting bacteria is exemplified by the fact that this compound prevents the emergence of antibiotic resistance, enhances phagocyte killing, and reduces S. aureus pathogenesis. This small molecule is a powerful tool not only for studying bacterial heme biosynthesis and central metabolism, but also establishes targeting of fermentation as a viable antibacterial strategy.

Abstract: A method of measuring binding between hemoglobin and a microbe of interest includes: providing hemoglobin from a source of interest; contacting the hemoglobin with a microbe of interest; and measuring the binding affinity between the hemoglobin and the microbe, wherein the binding affinity is indicative of microbe virulence in the presence of the hemoglobin.