Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for presenting the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotide amplification primers and detection probes specific for the amplification and detection of pathogenic organisms, including for example, specific Influenza A H1N1 viral isolates. Also disclosed is a biological organism identification kit including the disclosed nucleic acid probes and primers, as well as thermal cycling reagents that is both portable and durable, and may also be self-contained for remote, or in-field analysis and identification of particular influenza isolates from a variety of biological specimen types.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating diseases and disorders of patients caused by non-Staphylococcal microorganisms. In particular, compositions and methods contain lysostaphin, altered forms of lysostaphin as compared to wild-type, and synergistic combinations of lysostaphin plus additional conventional treatments such as other enzyme, antibiotic and/or antibody treatment. The invention is also directed to detecting and identifying altered forms of lysostaphin that possess increased efficacy against infections as compared to wild-type lysostaphin, and forms that generate a minimal or no immune response in a patient. The invention is also directed to method of manufacturing lysostaphin and altered forms of lysostaphin, and compositions that direct the lysostaphin to the site of the infection such as aerosolized nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for treating diseases and disorders of patients and, in particular, compositions and methods for treating Staphylococcus infections of patients with ultra-low doses and altered forms of lysostaphin, and synergistic combinations of lysostaphin plus additional conventional treatments such as antibiotic and/or antibody treatment. The invention is also directed to detecting and identifying altered forms of lysostaphin that possess increased efficacy against infections as compared to wild-type lysostaphin, and forms that generate a minimal or no immune response in a patient. The invention is also directed to method of manufacturing these altered forms of lysostaphin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for generating or enhancing the immune system of a patient against infection by a pathogen, and in particular MTB. Compositions of the invention contain one or more non-naturally occurring antigens that generate an effective cellular or humoral immune response to MTB and/or antibodies that are specifically reactive to mycolic acid or to the surface of MTB. The greater activity of the immune system generated by a vaccine of the invention involve an conjugation of peptides to increase in the generation of memory T cells that provide for a greater and/or longer lived or extended response to an MTB infection. Preferably a response involves an increased generation of antibodies that enhance immunity against MTB infection and promote an enhanced phagocytic response.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enhanced method for rapid and cost-effective analysis of sequences of a microorganism by semi-conductor sequencing, preferably ion-torrent sequencing. This method provides for full length analysis and of multiple areas (e.g. genes) of multiple genomes. These methods identify genetic mutations of a particular gene that are responsible for conferring resistance or sensitivity to an antibiotic or other chemical compound. Multiple different species, strains and/or serotypes of a particular organism are rapidly and efficiently screened and mutations identified along with the complete genome of an organism. By selecting primers pairs of similar size and GC content that produce amplicons with sequences spanning the entire genome, a single PCR reaction analyzed by ion torrent methodology can determine the sequence of a complete genome. Methods are useful to sequences the genomes of viral agents, such as influenza virus, and bacterial agents, such as tuberculosis bacteria.

Abstract: The invention is directed to immunogenic compositions and methods for their use in the formulation and administration of therapeutic and prophylactic pharmaceutical agents. In particular, the invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods for preventing, treating, and/or ameliorating the symptoms of one or more microbial infections, including, for example, influenza.

Abstract: The invention is directed to immunogenic compositions, and methods for their use in the formulation and administration of therapeutic and prophylactic pharmaceutical agents. In particular, the invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods for preventing, treating, and/or ameliorating microbial infection, including, for example, influenza, or one or more symptoms thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for presenting the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for collecting, transporting, and storing microorganisms obtained from samples of biological, clinical, forensic, and environmental origin. Compositions preserve the viability of the collected organisms, permit long-term storage, and are compatible with subsequent manipulation including propagation and culture of collected microorganisms, or isolation, purification, detection, and characterization of proteins, nucleic acids and macromolecules. When the compositions containing microorganisms and polynucleotides therein are further processed, such as by nucleic acid testing, there is an increased ability to detect, isolate, purify and/or characterize select microbes and their components, when compared to conventional microbial transport media that contain interfering substance(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for presenting the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for isolating, detecting, amplifying, and quantitating Mycobacterium-specific nucleic acids in a sample. Also disclosed are compositions and diagnostic kits comprising Mycobacterium IS6110-specific oligonucleotide amplification primers and labeled oligonucleotide detection probes that specifically bind to the amplification products obtained therefrom. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for the isolation and characterization of nucleic acids that are specific to one or more tubercular pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in particular, from a wide variety of samples including those of biological, environmental, clinical and/or veterinary origin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for isolating, detecting, amplifying, and quantitating pathogen-specific nucleic acids in a biological sample. The invention also provides diagnostic kits containing specific amplification primers, and labeled detection probes that specifically bind to the amplification products obtained therefrom. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for the isolation and characterization of nucleic acids that are specific to one or more pathogens, including for example Influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from a wide variety of samples including those of biological, environmental, clinical and/or veterinary origin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for isolating, detecting, amplifying, and quantitating pathogen-specific nucleic acids in a biological sample. The invention also provides diagnostic kits containing specific amplification primers, and labeled detection probes that specifically bind to the amplification products obtained therefrom. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for the isolation and characterization of nucleic acids that are specific to one or more pathogens, including for example Influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from a wide variety of samples including those of biological, environmental, clinical and/or veterinary origin.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for preserving the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enhanced method for rapid and cost-effective analysis of sequences of a microorganism by semi-conductor sequencing, preferably ion-torrent sequencing. This method provides for full length analysis and of multiple areas (e.g. genes) of multiple genomes. These methods identify genetic mutations of a particular gene that are responsible for conferring resistance or sensitivity to an antibiotic or other chemical compound. Multiple different species, strains and/or serotypes of a particular organism are rapidly and efficiently screened and mutations identified along with the complete genome of an organism. By selecting primers pairs of similar size and GC content that produce amplicons with sequences spanning the entire genome, a single PCR reaction analyzed by ion torrent methodology can determine the sequence of a complete genome. Methods are useful to sequences the genomes of viral agents, such as influenza virus, and bacterial agents, such as tuberculosis bacteria.

Abstract: The invention is directed to tools, compositions and methods for collecting, storing, transporting, isolating and detecting macromolecules such as nucleic acid sequences obtained from specimens. The compositions are one-step formulations for killing or inactivating pathogens, inactivating enzymes, and releasing nucleic acids from the specimens that are prepared for further processing and/or analysis. In particular, the invention provides a single, one-step, sample collection and transport formulation that facilitates the concentration, extraction, isolation and analysis of nucleic acids, genes and genomes.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for preserving the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal and chimeric antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and enhance protection from lethal infection in vivo. The mouse monoclonal antibody has been humanized and the resulting chimeric antibody provides a previously unknown means to diagnose, prevent and/or treat infections caused by gram positive bacteria bearing lipoteichoic acid. This invention also encompasses a peptide mimic of the lipoteichoic acid epitope binding site defined by the monoclonal antibody. This epitope or epitope peptide mimic identifies other antibodies that may bind to the lipoteichoic acid epitope. Moreover, the epitope or epitope peptide mimic provides a valuable substrate for the generation of vaccines or other therapeutics.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for preserving the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.