Abstract: A method of measuring soluble or insoluble cell or tissue-associated collagenase activity. The substrate includes native collagen fibrils that were stained with COOMASSIE Brilliant Blue R-250. Incubation with collagenase can be observed in real-time by the generation of digested smaller fragments. The degraded blue fragments are obtained by filtration through class fibers, onto which intact collagen fibrils are retained. The filtrate containing the blue collagen fragments is incubated with a detergent in order to extract the blue dye, and the mixture is centrifuged in order to separate the dye in the supernatant from the pellet, which contains de-stained collagen fragments and other insoluble materials contained in the test samples (such as bacterial cells or tissues). The amount of dye extracted is quantified by measuring the amount of dye extracted from these fragments, i.e., the absorbance at 600 nm using a spectrophotometer or an ELISA reader.

Abstract: A method of measuring soluble or insoluble cell or tissue-associated collagenase activity. The substrate includes native (fibrillar) collagen fragments that were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250. Incubation with collagenase can be observed in real-time by the generation of digested smaller fragments. The degraded blue fragments are obtained by filtration through class fibers, onto which intact collagen fibrils are retained. The filtrate containing the blue collagen fragments is incubated with a detergent in order to extract the blue dye, and the mixture is centrifuged in order to separate the dye in the supernatant from the pellet, which contains de-stained collagen fragments and other insoluble materials contained in the test samples (such as bacterial cells or tissues). The amount of dye extracted is quantified by measuring the amount of dye extracted from these fragments, i.e., the absorbance at 600 nm using a spectrophotometer or an ELISA reader.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the staining of fungi and microsporidia for observation with a light microscope based upon the presence of chitin in the composition of these organisms. With the method of the present invention a sample to be analyzed is treated with a solution of Ponceau S and Stains-all dye. The sample is then selectively decolorized and rinsed. The resulting sample is examined with a light microscope, or photographed for a permanent record, to identify the presence of a variety of microorganisms, to include fungi and microsporidia.

Abstract: The subject invention provides silica-based material that has high affinity to chitin, chitin derivatives and chitin-containing microorganisms at an acidic pH. In an embodiment, the silica-based material surface comprises glass. Also provided are methods for preparing the subject silica-based chitin-binding material. In addition, the subject invention provides rapid, specific, sensitive, accurate and convenient methods for detection, isolation and purification of chitin, chitin derivatives and chitin-containing microorganisms.

Abstract: The subject invention provides silica-based material that has high affinity to chitin, chitin derivatives and chitin-containing microorganisms at an acidic pH. In an embodiment, the silica-based material surface comprises glass. Also provided are methods for preparing the subject silica-based chitin-binding material. In addition, the subject invention provides rapid, specific, sensitive, accurate and convenient methods for detection, isolation and purification of chitin, chitin derivatives and chitin-containing microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the staining of fungi and microsporidia for observation with a light microscope based upon the presence of chitin in the composition of these organisms. With the method of the present invention a sample to be analyzed is treated with a solution of Ponceau S and Stains-all dye. The sample is then selectively decolorized and rinsed. The resulting sample is examined with a light microscope, or photographed for a permanent record, to identify the presence of a variety of microorganisms, to include fungi and microsporidia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the staining of fungi and microsporidia for observation with a light microscope based upon the presence of chitin in the composition of these organisms. With the method of the present invention a sample to be analyzed is treated with a solution of Ponceau S and Stains-all dye. The sample is then selectively decolorized and rinsed. The resulting sample is examined with a light microscope, or photographed for a permanent record, to identify the presence of a variety of microorganisms, to include fungi and microsporidia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the staining of fungi and microsporidia for observation with a light microscope based upon the presence of chitin in the composition of these organisms. With the method of the present invention a sample to be analyzed is treated with a solution of Ponceau S and Stains-all dye. The sample is then selectively decolorized and rinsed. The resulting sample is examined with a light microscope, or photographed for a permanent record, to identify the presence of a variety of microorganisms, to include fungi and microsporidia.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detecting the presence of infectious forms of intracellular pathogenic protozoa, particularly infectious forms of protozoa in the phylum Microspora and the phylum Apicomplexa, in clinical and environmental samples are provided The methods comprise isolating the protozoa from the test sample; adding an aliquot of the isolated protozoa to the culture medium of a culture of CHO cells, and assaying for the presence of the protozoa within the CHO cells. The kit comprises an antibody that binds to a protein on the infectious form of the protozoa and a sample of CHO cells. Methods of rapidly propagating intracellular pathogenic bacteria and protozoa, particularly protozoa belonging to the phylum Microspora, are also provided.