Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, kits and methods for the detection SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients. The kits and methods provided herein are, interalia, useful for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 and related variants in, for example, the saliva of COVID-19 patients.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a recombinant Streptomyces S27S5 hemagglutinin (SHA), and homologues thereof, and a fusion protein of a fluorescent protein (such as GFP and mCherry1) and SHA or a homologue thereof, which specifically bind to carbohydrates, including oligomeric sugars that terminate in L-rhamnose or D-galactose. The SHA, SHA homologues, and fusion proteins can be used to detect a variety of microorganisms or cancer or tumor antigens.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Abstract: Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, and systems for a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reactions for detecting the presence of genetic material. A LAMP device includes an enclosure having outer walls configured to define an internal space. The LAMP device also includes a tray assembly configured to support a reaction vessel configured for holding a sample for amplification. The LAMP device also includes a plurality of light emitters configured to illuminate the reaction vessel for exciting a fluorescence of the sample in the reaction vessel. The LAMP device also includes an imaging device configured to obtain an image of the sample for determining a quantity of the fluorescence in the sample. The LAMP device also includes a controller configured to regulate a temperature of the tray assembly and instruct the imaging device to obtain the image for determining the quantity of the fluorescence in the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a recombinant Streptomyces S27S5 hemagglutinin (SHA), and homologues thereof, and a fusion protein of a fluorescent protein (such as GFP and mCherry1) and SHA or a homologue thereof, which specifically bind to carbohydrates, including oligomeric sugars that terminate in L-rhamnose or D-galactose. The SHA, SHA homologues, and fusion proteins can be used to detect a variety of microorganisms or cancer or tumor antigens.

Abstract: Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

Abstract: Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel fluorogenic and bioluminescent bacterial protease substrates that contain at least one bacterial protease cleavage site. In some embodiments, the proteases that cleave the protease substrates are bacterial proteases including those used for tissue dissociation, cell isolation, and cell detachment, such as the preparation of islet cells. Additionally, the novel protease substrates described herein may be used to assess the activity of certain bacterial proteases involved in isolating primary cells and stem cells. Methods and protease detection kits using the novel protease substrates are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are single chain antibody binding domains (VHHs) for use in conjunction with the Assay with a Large Immuno-sorbent Surface Area (ALISSA). Engineered and affinity matured VHHs are used as affinity reagents in the ALISSA resulting in an exceptionally sensitive and precise method for the detection of toxins at miniscule concentrations. Thus, provided herein are methods as well as reagents that can be used to detect the presence of botulinum neurotoxins in quantities well below 1 pg/mL which corresponds to a lethal concentration under presumed equal distribution throughout the human body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a recombinant Streptomyces S27S5 hemagglutinin (SHA), and homologues thereof, and a fusion protein of a fluorescent protein (such as GFP and mCherry1) and SHA or a homologue thereof, which specifically bind to carbohydrates, including oligomeric sugars that terminate in L-rhamnose or D-galactose. The SHA, SHA homologues, and fusion proteins can be used to detect a variety of microorganisms or cancer or tumor antigens.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel fluorogenic and bioluminescent bacterial protease substrates that contain at least one bacterial protease cleavage site. In some embodiments, the proteases that cleave the protease substrates are bacterial proteases including those used for tissue dissociation, cell isolation, and cell detachment, such as the preparation of islet cells. Additionally, the novel protease substrates described herein may be used to assess the activity of certain bacterial proteases involved in isolating primary cells and stem cells. Methods and protease detection kits using the novel protease substrates are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are single chain antibody binding domains (VHHs) for use in conjunction with the Assay with a Large Immuno-sorbent Surface Area (ALISSA). Engineered and affinity matured VHHs are used as affinity reagents in the ALISSA resulting in an exceptionally sensitive and precise method for the detection of toxins at miniscule concentrations. Thus, provided herein are methods as well as reagents that can be used to detect the presence of botulinum neurotoxins in quantities well below 1 pg/mL which corresponds to a lethal concentration under presumed equal distribution throughout the human body.

Abstract: Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Abstract: Provided herein is a large immuno-sorbent surface area assay (ALISSA) for the rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and anthrax toxin. This assay is designed to capture a low number of toxin molecules and to measure their intrinsic protease activity via conversion of a fluorogenic or luminescent substrate. Also provided herein are novel peptides that can be specifically cleaved by BoNT and novel peptides that are resistant to cleavage by BoNT. The combination of these cleavable and control peptides can be used for implementation of an exemplary ALISSA used to specifically detect BoNT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the ALISSA as described herein may also be used in a column based format for use in a high-throughput system for testing large quantities of samples.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.