Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of a bacteria to an antibiotic, comprising transferring one portion of a sample containing living bacterial cells into a bacterial growth medium to create a control sample; transferring another portion of the sample into a bacterial growth medium to which a predetermined amount of antibiotic or predetermined amount of a library of antibiotics has been added to create a test sample; adding an alkyne-modified non-canonical amino acid to both the control sample and test sample during bacterial growth, wherein the alkyne-modified non-canonical amino acid incorporates into surface proteins, internal proteins, or both; reacting the alkyne-containing proteins with an azide-modified detection molecule using click-chemistry to label the cells; detecting the labeled cells using a method that generates a detectable signal; and comparing the signal generated by the control sample to the signal generated by the test sample, wherein a decrease in detectable signal between the con

Abstract: A programmable receptor complex expressed by an immunocyte, wherein the programmable receptor complex includes a plurality of native or endogenously expressed receptor subunits, wherein the native or endogenously expressed receptor subunits have been engineered or modified to include Fc?RI receptor components, biotin-binding components, or both, and wherein the Fc?RI receptor components and biotin-binding components are operative to bind to target detector molecules that bind to or otherwise interact with predetermined targets.

Abstract: A biosensor system for the detection of target analytes that includes a living biological cell of a predetermined type; a signal-generating reporter associated with the living biological cell; a signal transduction pathway or other activator mechanism or means associated with the signal-generating reporter; a universal detector element associated with the activator mechanism; and an analyte binding element associated with the universal detector element, wherein the analyte binding element is specific to both the universal detector element and a target analyte.

Abstract: A programmable receptor complex expressed by an immunocyte, wherein the programmable receptor complex includes a plurality of native or endogenously-expressed receptor subunits, wherein at least one of the plurality of native or endogenously-expressed receptor subunits has been engineered or modified to include an Fc?RI receptor component or a biotin-binding component, and wherein the Fc?RI receptor component or biotin-binding component is operative to bind to a target detector molecule that binds to or otherwise interacts with a predetermined target.

Abstract: A system for use in rapid sample analysis that includes a biosensor reagent, wherein the biosensor reagent includes living biological cells; a reservoir card, wherein the reservoir card stores the biosensor reagent; and a test cartridge base, wherein the test cartridge base is configured to accept the reservoir card, and wherein the test cartridge base further includes a contoured reaction chamber; and an inlet channel connected to and entering the reaction chamber at a predetermined angle thereto.

Abstract: A system for use in rapid sample analysis that includes a biosensor reagent, wherein the biosensor reagent includes living biological cells; a reservoir card, wherein the reservoir card stores the biosensor reagent; and a test cartridge base, wherein the test cartridge base is configured to accept the reservoir card, and wherein the test cartridge base further includes a reaction chamber having a central axis, wherein the reaction chamber has the shape of a revolved half ellipse; and an inlet channel connected to the reaction chamber, wherein the inlet channel is positioned above the reaction chamber at an angle of 15-60 degrees above the horizontal, and wherein the inlet channel is offset from the central axis of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A biosensor system for the detection of target analytes that includes a living biological cell of a predetermined type; a signal-generating reporter associated with the living biological cell; a signal transduction pathway or other activator mechanism or means associated with the signal-generating reporter; a universal detector element associated with the activator mechanism; and an analyte binding element associated with the universal detector element, wherein the analyte binding element is specific to both the universal detector element and a target analyte.

Abstract: The invention is a general method for improving the performance of the DNA-based vaccines. The method utilizes a complex DNA-generated profile of antigens to extend the effects of DNA-based vaccines and to broaden the immune response. This broadened immune response in turn improves the protection of the recipient from divergent (but related) strains of a pathogen. In addition, it effectively improves the efficacy of DNA-based vaccines used for treatment of viral diseases, including acquired immunity disorder (AIDS). One embodiment, where the target viral pathogen is HIV (the causative agent for aids), the method identifies an orderly set of plasmids of related sequences that may be used to prime a broad and strong immune response to HLA-restricted viral antigens. This mixture of plasmids is thus capable of priming an appropriate immune response to reduce the viral burden in HIV infected patients or to protect uninfected patients from HIV infection.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer

Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer

Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer

Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer

Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer

Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer

Abstract: A test cartridge for use in sample analysis is provided. The test cartridge includes a reservoir card that further includes a reagent that includes living biological cells; and a test cartridge base configured to accept the reservoir card. The reservoir card is configured to interface with a test cartridge base through at least one fluid port. The test cartridge base includes an elliptical reaction chamber having a central axis and an inlet channel connected to the reaction chamber. The inlet channel is positioned above the reaction chamber at an angle of 15-60 degrees above the horizontal and is offset from the central axis of the reaction chamber. Upon introducing a sample to be analyzed into the test cartridge base through the inlet channel, the sample is homogeneously mixed with the reagent while minimizing damage to the living biological cells.

Abstract: A system for use in rapid sample analysis that includes a biosensor reagent, wherein the biosensor reagent includes living biological cells; a reservoir card, wherein the reservoir card stores the biosensor reagent; and a test cartridge base, wherein the test cartridge base is configured to accept the reservoir card, and wherein the test cartridge base further includes a reaction chamber having a central axis, wherein the reaction chamber has the shape of a revolved half ellipse; and an inlet channel connected to the reaction chamber, wherein the inlet channel is positioned above the reaction chamber at an angle of 15-60 degrees above the horizontal, and wherein the inlet channel is offset from the central axis of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A medical device for disrupting biofilms that includes a substrate; and at least one anti-biofilm composition bound to the substrate, wherein the at least one anti-biofilm composition is adapted to bind to DNA binding proteins present in a biofilm, and wherein the binding of the at least one anti-biofilm composition to the DNA binding protein disrupts the biofilm.

Abstract: A system for use in rapid sample analysis that includes a biosensor reagent, wherein the biosensor reagent includes living biological cells; a reservoir card, wherein the reservoir card stores the biosensor reagent; and a test cartridge base, wherein the test cartridge base is configured to accept the reservoir card, and wherein the test cartridge base further includes a reaction chamber having a central axis, wherein the reaction chamber has the shape of a revolved half ellipse; and an inlet channel connected to the reaction chamber, wherein the inlet channel is positioned above the reaction chamber at an angle of 15-60 degrees above the horizontal, and wherein the inlet channel is offset from the central axis of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A system for use in rapid sample analysis that includes a biosensor reagent, wherein the biosensor reagent includes living biological cells; a reservoir card, wherein the reservoir card stores the biosensor reagent; and a test cartridge base, wherein the test cartridge base is configured to accept the reservoir card, and wherein the test cartridge base further includes a contoured reaction chamber; and an inlet channel connected to and entering the reaction chamber at a predetermined angle thereto.

Abstract: A test cartridge for use in sample analysis is provided. The test cartridge includes a reservoir card that further includes a reagent that includes living biological cells; and a test cartridge base configured to accept the reservoir card. The reservoir card is configured to interface with a test cartridge base through at least one fluid port. The test cartridge base includes an elliptical reaction chamber having a central axis and an inlet channel connected to the reaction chamber. The inlet channel is positioned above the reaction chamber at an angle of 15-60 degrees above the horizontal and is offset from the central axis of the reaction chamber. Upon introducing a sample to be analyzed into the test cartridge base through the inlet channel, the sample is homogeneously mixed with the reagent while minimizing damage to the living biological cells.