Abstract: The present invention relates to method of detecting and characterizing one or more Borrelia species causing Lyme Disease or tick-borne relapsing fever within a sample from a subject, the method comprising: a) subjecting DNA and/or RNA from the sample to a PCR amplification reaction using primer pairs targeting at least one region of Borrelia 16S rRNA and at least one region of flaB, ospA, ospB, ospC, glpQ, 16S-23S intergenic spacer (IGS1), 5S-23S intergenic spacer (IGS2), bbk32, dbpA, dbpB, and/or p66; and b) analyzing amplification products resulting from the PCR amplification reaction to detect the one or more Borrelia species.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a novel system and method for providing a fast, inexpensive and reliable diagnostic test for indicating the presence of a biological threat. This test utilizes surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to interrogate a sample comprising metallic plasmonic particles suspected of contamination with the biological threat. The Raman spectrum is analyzed for specific Raman shifts that are characteristic of an interaction of the biological threat with the metallic plasmonic particles to produce a diagnostic result.

Abstract: Methods for the production of lipids and biofuels with a culture of Candidatus Microthrix spp. grown on a medium such as wastewater or sewage sludge are provided. The Candidatus Microthrix spp. may be cultured with additional microorganisms that contribute to the accumulation of lipids from the growth medium such as Zoog!oea spp., Rhizobacter spp., Blautia spp., Hydrolatea spp., ODI genera incertae sedis. Further discloses are transformed organisms comprising genes isolated from Candidatus Microthrix parvicella, as well as methods and processes for producing lipids, fatty acids, or biofuels in vitro using the protein products of the isolated genes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with the gastrointestinal tract, including Clostridium difficile infections are provided for use in, e.g., the fields of medicine and gastroenterology.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a method of preparing a sample for sequencing that includes receiving a sample and amplifying at least one marker within the sample. In some embodiments, amplification of the first marker may include mixing the sample with a first oligonucleotide that comprises a first universal tail sequence and a second oligonucleotide that comprises a second universal tail sequence. In some aspects of the invention, the first universal tail sequence and the second universal tail sequence are different sequences.

Abstract: Implementations of diagnostic systems for detecting a bacterial infection in a subject may include: a device for receiving a sample of a bodily fluid from a subject, a chemical composition configured to react with one or more antibodies in the bodily fluid, and an indicator configured to indicate or respond to a product of the reaction of the chemical composition with one or more antibodies in a bodily fluid received into the device. The antibodies may be produced in response to one or more conserved antigens from one or more bacteria identified as potentially associated with at least one disease associated with the subject. The device may be coated with the chemical composition. The indicator may be configured to communicate to a user of the system a presence or an absence of the one or more antibodies in the bodily fluid.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a method of preparing a sample for sequencing that includes receiving a sample and amplifying at least one marker within the sample. In some embodiments, amplification of the first marker may include mixing the sample with a first oligonucleotide that comprises a first universal tail sequence and a second oligonucleotide that comprises a second universal tail sequence. In some aspects of the invention, the first universal tail sequence and the second universal tail sequence are different sequences.

Abstract: Methods for the production of lipids and biofuels with a culture of Candidatus Microthrix spp. grown on a medium such as wastewater or sewage sludge are provided. The Candidatus Microthrix spp. may be cultured with additional microorganisms that contribute to the accumulation of lipids from the growth medium such as Zoog!oea spp., Rhizobacter spp., Blautia spp., Hydrolatea spp., ODI genera incertae sedis. Further discloses are transformed organisms comprising genes isolated from Candidatus Microthrix parvicella, as well as methods and processes for producing lipids, fatty acids, or biofuels in vitro using the protein products of the isolated genes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, assay kits, signature primers, and probes for detecting the presence of Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei in a sample using real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR.

Abstract: The preferred therapeutic for human anthrax infections are therapeutics from the fluoroquinolone class, in particular, Ciprofloxacin (CIP). This invention discloses the molecular basis for fluoroquinolone (CEP in particular) action and provides the molecular signatures which form the basis of diagnostic assays. This invention further discloses nucleotide signatures associated with CIP-resistance are useful in diagnostic tests to rapidly identify CIP resistant B. anthracis and to infer the level of resistance of these mutant strains. According to this invention, the diagnostic potential of the molecular signatures is illustrated using a primer extension assay. Further, PCR and extension primers which allow the detection of these signatures are disclosed.

Abstract: MLVA methods for strain discrimination among Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains are disclosed. Nine VNTR loci have been identified from genomic sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains and primer pairs suitable for amplifying the VNTR by PCR are disclosed. Polymorphisms at these loci were used to resolve genotypes into distinct groups. This sub-typing scheme is useful for the epidemiological study of Mycobacterium tuberculosum and may be applied to the local detection of the pathological causative agent of tuberculosum.

Abstract: MLVA methods for strain discrimination among Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains are disclosed. Nine VNTR loci have been identified from genomic sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains and primer pairs suitable for amplifying the VNTR by PCR are disclosed. Polymorphisms at these loci were used to resolve genotypes into distinct groups. This sub-typing scheme is useful for the epidemiological study of Mycobacterium tuberculosum and may be applied to the local detection of the pathological causative agent of tuberculosum.

Abstract: MLVA methods for strain discrimination among Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains are disclosed. Nine VNTR loci have been identified from genomic sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains and primer pairs suitable for amplifying the VNTR by PCR are disclosed. Polymorphisms at these loci were used to resolve genotypes into distinct groups. This sub-typing scheme is useful for the epidemiological study of Mycobacterium tuberculosum and may be applied to the local detection of the pathological causative agent of tuberculosum.

Abstract: Bacillus anthracis is one the most molecularly homogeneous pathogens described, which makes strain discrimination particularly difficult. The present invention includes a molecular-typing method based upon rapidly evolving variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci. Multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) combines the information from multiple alleles at several marker loci. PCR amplification products from eight VNTR regions are detected and sized using fluorescently labeled primers. Five of these eight loci were discovered by characterization of AFLP markers (vrrC1, vrrC2, vrrB1, vrrB2 and CG3); two were discovered from complete plasmid nucleotide sequences (pXO1-aat, pXO2-at); and, one was previously known (vrrA). 425 isolates were characterized to identify 89 distinct genotypes. VNTR markers frequently had multiple alleles (from 2 to 8) and diversity (D) values between 0.3 and 0.8. UPGMA cluster analysis identified six genetically distinct groups that appear to represent genetic clones.