Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for liquid repellency are disclosed. The liquid repellant surfaces comprise a surface comprising an anchoring layer. The anchoring layer, which forms an immobilized molecular anchoring layer on the surface, has anchoring molecules, where each anchoring molecule has a head group that is covalently linked to the surface and a functional tail group. The anchoring molecules are crosslinked to each other to form a crosslinked network. The functional tail group has an affinity for a lubricating liquid, which is applied to the treated surface to form a lubricating layer. The anchoring layer and replenishable lubricating liquid are held together by non-covalent attractive forces. Together, these layers form an ultra-repellant slippery surface that repels certain immiscible liquids and prevents adsorption, coagulation, and surface fouling by components contained within.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for preparing a microbiome sample for transplantation into a subject in need thereof. In particular, the methods and compositions relate to methods of repopulating the the microbiome of a subject in the treatment of gastrointestinal maladies e.g., diarrhea and/or constipation.

Abstract: Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, e.g. methods of treatment of for example, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to methods, compositions, kits and systems for detecting and/or capturing a target entity in a sample. In particular, the methods, compositions and kits described herein relate to pretreatment of target-binding agents with a blocking agent described herein to reduce non-target binding in a complex matrix (e.g., blood). In some embodiments, methods and compositions for detecting and/or capturing a microbe in a test sample, including bodily fluids such as blood and tissues of a subject, food, water, and environmental surfaces are also provided herein.

Abstract: Anti-CD19 B4 antibodies with modified variable regions are disclosed. The modified anti-CD19 variable region polypeptides have alterations to one or more framework regions or complementarity determining regions of the heavy chain variable region or light chain variable region, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

Abstract: The present invention provides for engineered molecular opsonins that may be used to bind biological pathogens or identify subclasses or specific pathogen species for use in devices and systems for treatment and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, blood-borne infections or sepsis. An aspect of the invention provides for mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an abundant natural serum protein that is part of the innate immune system. The ability of this protein lectin to bind to surface molecules on virtually all classes of biopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) make engineered forms of MBL extremely useful in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and sepsis.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for simultaneously providing repellency and selective binding of desired moieties are disclosed. The repellant surfaces comprise a substrate and a lubricating layer immobilized over the substrate surface having a lubricating liquid having an affinity with the substrate. The substrate and the lubricating liquid are attracted to each other together by non-covalent attractive forces. The repellent surface further includes a binding group extending over the surface of the lubricating layer and the binding group has an affinity with a target moiety. The lubricating layer and the substrate form a slippery or repellent surface configured and arranged for contact with a material that is immiscible with the lubricating liquid and the immiscible material contains the target moiety.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to methods, compositions, kits and systems for rapid determination of antibiotic susceptibility of a microbe within hours after a sample is collected. In some embodiments, the methods, compositions, kits and systems described herein can allow determination of antibiotic susceptibility of a microbe based on a small number of microbes, e.g., as few as 5-10 microbes bound to a microbe-targeting substrate described herein.

Abstract: Anti-CD19 B4 antibodies with modified variable regions are disclosed. The modified anti-CD19 variable region polypeptides have alterations to one or more framework regions or complementarity determining regions of the heavy chain variable region or light chain variable region, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to detection reagents, compositions, methods, and kits comprising the detection reagents for use in detection, identification, and/or quantification of analytes in a sample. Such detection reagents and methods described herein allow multiplexing of many more labeled species in the same procedure than conventional methods, in which multiplexing is limited by the number of available and practically usable colors.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for liquid repellency are disclosed. The liquid repellant surfaces comprise a surface comprising an anchoring layer. The anchoring layer, which forms an immobilized molecular anchoring layer on the surface, has a head group that is covalently linked to, or adsorbed onto, the surface and a functional group. The functional group of the treated surface has an affinity for a lubricating layer, which is applied to the treated surface. The anchoring layer and replenishable lubricating layer are held together by non-covalent attractive forces. Together, these layers form an ultra-repellant slippery surface that repels certain immiscible liquids and prevents adsorption, coagulation, and surface fouling by components contained within.

Abstract: Anti-CD19 B4 antibodies with modified variable regions are disclosed. The modified anti-CD19 variable region polypeptides have alterations to one or more framework regions or complementarity determining regions of the heavy chain variable region or light chain variable region, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules, kits comprising the same and uses thereof. Some particular embodiments of the microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules comprise a carbohydrate recognition domain of mannose-binding lectin, or a fragment thereof, linked to a portion of a Fc region. In some embodiments, the microbe-targeting molecules or microbe-binding molecules can be conjugated to a substrate, e.g., a magnetic microbead, forming a microbe-targeting substrate (e.g., a microbe-targeting magnetic microbead). Such microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates and the kits comprising the same can bind and/or capture of a microbe and/or microbial matter thereof, and can thus be used in various applications, e.g., diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes such as sepsis in a subject or any environmental surface.

Abstract: A dialysis like therapeutic (DLT) device is provided. The DLT device includes at least one source channel connected at least one collection channels by one or more transfer channels. Fluid contacting surface of the channels can be an anti-fouling surface such as slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS). Fluids can be flown at high flow rates through the channels. The target components of the source fluid can be magnetic or bound to magnetic particles using an affinity molecule. A source fluid containing magnetically bound target components can be pumped through the source channel of the microfluidic device. A magnetic field gradient can be applied to the source fluid in the source channel causing the magnetically bound target components to migrate through the transfer channel into the collection channel. The collection channel can include a collection fluid to flush the target components out of the collection channel. The target components can be subsequently analyzed for detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: A self-healing, scratch resistant slippery surface that is manufactured by wicking a chemically-inert, high-density liquid coating over a roughened solid surface featuring micro and nanoscale topographies is described. Such a slippery surface shows anti-wetting properties, as well as exhibits significant reduction of adhesion of a broad range of biological materials, including particles in suspension or solution. Specifically, the slippery surfaces can be applied to medical devices and equipment to effectively repel biological materials such as blood, and prevent, reduce, or delay coagulation and surface-mediated clot formation. Moreover, the slippery surfaces can be used to prevent fouling by microorganisms such as bacteria.

Abstract: Anti-CD19 B4 antibodies with modified variable regions are disclosed. The modified anti-CD19 variable region polypeptides have alterations to one or more framework regions or complementarity determining regions of the heavy chain variable region or light chain variable region, thereby to reduce a T-cell response.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a target species from a fluid source is provided. The system includes a reciprocating fluid cleansing device, including a processing chamber with a port at a first end for fluid passage and a movable plunger at a second end, wherein the plunger in contact with a fluid includes a motorized mixing element for mixing the fluid with species-targeting magnetic particles. Motion of the plunger in a first direction transfers a first volume of the fluid from the fluid source into the processing chamber. Motion of the plunger in a second direction transfers the first volume of the fluid from the processing chamber to a fluid destination. At least one magnetic element provides a magnetic field gradient within the processing chamber. A connector connects the port of the first processing chamber to the fluid source and the fluid destination.

Abstract: A microfluidic device of a diagnostic and detection system includes an inlet port connected by one or more microchannels to an outlet port and includes a capture and visualization chamber (CVC) connected to at least one microchannel. A fluid to be analyzed can be mixed with magnetic microbeads that have an affinity to become bound to target components, such as pathogens in the fluid. The fluid including the magnetically bound target components can be injected through the microfluidic device. Magnetic field gradient, such as provided by permanent or electro-magnets, can be applied to the fluid and the magnetically bound target components flowing through the microfluidic device to cause the magnetically bound target components to migrate into the (CVC) and become separated from the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides for engineered molecular opsonins that may be used to bind biological pathogens or identify subclasses or specific pathogen species for use in devices and systems for treatment and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, blood-borne infections or sepsis. An aspect of the invention provides for mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an abundant natural serum protein that is part of the innate immune system. The ability of this protein lectin to bind to surface molecules on virtually all classes of biopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) make engineered forms of MBL extremely useful in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and sepsis.