Abstract: A separation medium for removing small molecules from biomacromolecule in aqueous mixtures comprises gel filtration chromatography beads having a nominal protein fractional range of about 1000 Da to about 5000 Da and having an internal adsorbent matrix derived from a hydrophobicized scaffold. The gel filtration chromatography beads remove small molecules that are less than 1500 Da and have log Pow values greater than about ?0.5 from biomacromolecules in aqueous mixtures. Devices containing the separation medium are also provided.

Abstract: A separation medium for removing small molecules from biomacromolecule in aqueous mixtures comprises gel filtration chromatography beads having a nominal protein fractional range of about 1000 Da to about 5000 Da and having an internal adsorbent matrix derived from a hydrophobicized scaffold. The gel filtration chromatography beads remove small molecules that are less than 1500 Da and have log Pow values greater than about ?0.5 from biomacromolecules in aqueous mixtures. Devices containing the separation medium are also provided.

Abstract: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from industrial waste and oil spills are a recurrent threat to food safety due to their stability and toxicity. Existing methods to establish the concentrations of PAH in environmental and food samples rely on expensive and laborious methodology. The teachings herein provide methods and kits for detecting the presence or absence of PAH. In certain embodiments, the quantity of PAH in a sample can be determined.

Abstract: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from industrial waste and oil spills are a recurrent threat to food safety due to their stability and toxicity. Existing methods to establish the concentrations of PAH in environmental and food samples rely on expensive and laborious methodology. The teachings herein provide methods and kits for detecting the presence or absence of PAH. In certain embodiments, the quantity of PAH in a sample can be determined.

Abstract: Described herein is a rapid coupled enzymatic assay to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in samples. The method uses a detection composition that includes: a buffered solution comprising NADH; naphthalene dioxygenase, naphthalene 1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene dehydrogenase, and 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase. The presence of PAH is determined by noting a color change of the detection composition, either visually or spectrophotometrically.

Abstract: Provided is a sensitive method to specifically detect nucleic acid sequences using a combination of DNA replication based signal amplification (e.g., PCR) and lateral flow analyte detection. The disclosed method uses a dual-labeled DNA probe complementary to a region of the target DNA sequence. Cleavage of the probe, caused by the presence of the amplified DNA target, is detected using lateral flow methods.

Abstract: Described herein is a rapid coupled enzymatic assay to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in samples. The method uses a detection composition that includes: a buffered solution comprising NADH; naphthalene dioxygenase, naphthalene 1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene dehydrogenase, and 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase. The presence of PAH is determined by noting a color change of the detection composition, either visually or spectrophotometrically.

Abstract: Described herein is a rapid, semi-quantitative sampling device which may rapidly detect histamine in food, beverage and feed samples. The device uses an enzyme (impregnated in a sampling pad) to specifically convert histamine present in samples to a visual colorimetric signal. The color change of the pad is proportional to the amount of histamine present in the sample.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a low cost method of producing peptides, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), by using microbes. The subject methods enable greatly improved yields of the peptide/AMP as compared to those heretofore known in the art. The subject methods also surprisingly enable the use of Pseudomonas fluorescens to produce AMPs and other peptides. There are several components of the subject invention, which can be used alone or in combination. The subject invention provides for the production of peptides/AMPs in concatemeric precursors. The subject invention also provides novel methods of assembling monomers into multimers, and of cleaving the multimers to yield active monomers. The subject invention also relates to the use of these multimers fused to carrier peptides to produce fusion proteins. Preferably, both the multimers and the fusion proteins (multimers with the carrier polypeptides) lack charge balancing.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting membrane derived apoptotic activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for identifying membrane derived caspase activity. In other embodiments, drug discovery methods are provided for screening compounds that inhibit or enhance membrane derived caspase activity. In the various embodiments, heavy membrane fractions are utilized for the screening methodologies described herein.

Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting membrane derived apoptotic activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for identifying membrane derived caspase activity. In other embodiments, drug discovery methods are provided for screening compounds that inhibit or enhance membrane derived caspase activity. In the various embodiments, heavy membrane fractions are utilized for the screening methodologies described herein.