Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay including a surface having silver colloids or islands attached thereto. Attached to the surface and/or silver colloids/islands are polynucleotides which are complimentary to a target polynucleotide sequence. The assay is performed by adding the target polynucleotide sequence to the assay surface and allowing it to hybridize with the capture polynucleotides. Fluorophore-labeled capture polynucleotides are added and hybridize to the target polynucleotide. Bound target polynucleotides are detected by metal enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay including a surface having silver colloids or islands attached thereto. Attached to the surface and/or silver colloids/islands are polynucleotides which are complimentary to a target polynucleotide sequence. The assay is performed by adding the target polynucleotide sequence to the assay surface and allowed to hybridize with the capture polynucleotides. Fluorophore-labeled capture polynucleotides are added and hybridize to the target polynucleotide. Bound target polynucleotides are detected by metal enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay including a surface having silver colloids or islands attached thereto. Attached to the surface and/or silver colloids/islands are polynucleotides which are complimentary to a target polynucleotide sequence. The assay is performed by adding the target polynucleotide sequence to the assay surface and allowed to hybridize with the capture polynucleotides. Fluorophore-labeled capture polynucleotides are added and hybridize to the target polynucleotide. Bound target polynucleotides are detected by metal enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: A vaccine for the prevention of anthrax, including a live, attenuated Salmonella and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding anthrax protective antigen (PA) or a fragment thereof and a nonlethal mutated form of anthrax lethal factor (LF) or a fragment thereof. In another implementation, the vaccine is constituted for the prevention of anthrax and at least one additional pathogen, as including a live, attenuated Salmonella and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding at least a fragment of a nonlethal mutated form of anthrax lethal factor (LF) and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding at least a fragment of an antigen of an additional pathogen. Vaccines of such types can be administered to stimulate antibody response in a subject, whereby the antibody response confers immunity to the subject.

Abstract: A vaccine for the prevention of anthrax, including a live, attenuated Salmonella and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding anthrax protective antigen (PA) or a fragment thereof and a nonlethal mutated form of anthrax lethal factor (LF) or a fragment thereof. In another implementation, the vaccine is constituted for the prevention of anthrax and at least one additional pathogen, as including a live, attenuated Salmonella and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding at least a fragment of a nonlethal mutated form of anthrax lethal factor (LF) and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding at least a fragment of an antigen of an additional pathogen. Vaccines of such types can be administered to stimulate antibody response in a subject, whereby the antibody response confers immunity to the subject.

Abstract: Methods of preparing recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen or a variant or fragment thereof for use in vaccines is disclosed. The protein is expressed in a recombinant microorganism which comprises a sequence which encodes PA or said variant or fragment thereof wherein either (i) a gene of the microorganism which encodes a catabolic repressor protein and/or AbrB is inactivated, and/or (ii) wherein a region of the PA sequence which can act as a catabolic repressor binding site and/or an AbrB binding site is inactivated. Useful quantities of protein are obtainable from these organisms.