Abstract: The present invention relates to sensors and methods for detecting bacterial proteases in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to sensors and methods for detecting Pseudomonas spp. protease activity in a sample. The sensors and methods may be used to detect or predict spoilage of a dairy product. The invention also relates to methods for preparing samples for protease assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sensors and methods for detecting carbohydrates, such as lactose, in a sample. The sensors and methods may also be used to determine the amount of carbohydrate in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting one or more analytes in a sample and/or for classifying a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and systems which can be used to detect the analytes in real time and which rely on flowing through a microfluidic device one or more types of sensor molecule each comprising a domain that binds one or more analytes, a chemiluminescent donor domain and an acceptor domain, wherein the separation and relative orientation of the chemiluminescent donor domain and the acceptor domain, in the presence and/or the absence of analyte, is within ±50% of the Forster distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioluminescence resonance energy transfer sensor molecules having the structure R1-L-R2—B or B—R2-L-R1, wherein R1 is a bioluminescent protein, L is a linking element, R2 is a non-protein acceptor domain and B is a blocking group, and wherein R2 bound to B comprises a hydrolysable bond which produces a change in BRET when hydrolysed. The invention also discloses a method of detecting a hydrolase by contacting a sample with a molecule B—R2, then contacting with a compound R1-L or L-R1 under conditions to cause attaching of R2 to L, and detecting a change in the BRET ratio. Specifically exemplified sensors comprise luciferase and fluorescein diacetate, which is hydrolysed by an esterase. The invention also discloses luciferase enzymes derived from RLuc8 by removing cysteine residues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sensors and methods for detecting carbohydrates, such as lactose, in a sample. The sensors and methods may also be used to determine the amount of carbohydrate in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting one or more analytes in a sample and/or for classifying a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and systems which can be used to detect the analytes in real time and which rely on flowing through a microfluidic device one or more types of sensor molecule each comprising a domain that binds one or more analytes, a chemiluminescent donor domain and an acceptor domain, wherein the separation and relative orientation of the chemiluminescent donor domain and the acceptor domain, in the presence and/or the absence of analyte, is within ±50% of the Forster distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sensors and methods for detecting bacterial proteases in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to sensors and methods for detecting Pseudomonas spp. protease activity in a sample. The sensors and methods may be used to detect or predict spoilage of a dairy product. The invention also relates to methods for preparing samples for protease assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting one or more analytes in a sample and/or for classifying a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and systems which can be used to detect the analytes in real time and which rely on flowing through a microfluidic device one or more types of sensor molecule each comprising a domain that binds one or more analytes, a chemiluminescent donor domain and an acceptor domain, wherein the separation and relative orientation of the chemiluminescent donor domain and the acceptor domain, in the presence and/or the absence of analyte, is within +50% of the Forster distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting one or more analytes in a sample and/or for classifying a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and systems which can be used to detect the analytes in real time and which rely on flowing through a microfluidic device one or more types of sensor molecule each comprising a domain that binds one or more analytes, a chemiluminescent donor domain and an acceptor domain, wherein the separation and relative orientation of the chemiluminescent donor domain and the acceptor domain, in the presence and/or the absence of analyte, is within +50% of the Forster distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and polypeptides for detecting a compound in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a cell-free composition comprising at least one G protein coupled receptor embedded in a lipid Mayer which when expressed in a cell the N-terminus of the G protein coupled receptor, or subunits thereof, is outside the cell and the C-terminus is inside the cell, and which is capable of binding the compound. Optionally, the composition also comprises at least one accessory molecule that directly or indirectly binds an intracellular loop and/or the C-terminus of the G protein coupled receptor. The G protein coupled receptor, and/or accessory molecule when present, in combination comprise a bioluminescent protein and an acceptor molecule, which enables bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET) to be used to detect the compound binding the receptor.

Abstract: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of luciferase peptides that are encoded by genes within the genome of Arachnocampa (Diptera) are disclosed. Specifically provided are functional ATP-dependent luciferases that catalyze luminescence reactions with emission spectra within the blue portion of the spectrum. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and active subsequences of the enzyme peptides, and methods of identifying modulators and substrates of the luciferase peptides. Methods of assays, including multiple reporter assays utilizing at least two ATP-dependent luciferases are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and polypeptides for detecting a compound in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a cell-free composition comprising at least one G protein coupled receptor embedded in a lipid Mayer which when expressed in a cell the N-terminus of the G protein coupled receptor, or subunits thereof, is outside the cell and the C-terminus is inside the cell, and which is capable of binding the compound. Optionally, the composition also comprises at least one accessory molecule that directly or indirectly binds an intracellular loop and/or the C-terminus of the G protein coupled receptor. The G protein coupled receptor, and/or accessory molecule when present, in combination comprise a bioluminescent protein and an acceptor molecule, which enables bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET) to be used to detect the compound binding the receptor.

Abstract: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of luciferase peptides that are encoded by genes within the genome of Arachnocampa (Diptera) are disclosed. Specifically provided are functional ATP-dependent luciferases that catalyze luminescence reactions with emission spectra within the blue portion of the spectrum. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and active subsequences of the enzyme peptides, and methods of identifying modulators and substrates of the luciferase peptides. Methods of assays, including multiple reporter assays utilizing at least two ATP-dependent luciferases are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to any assay for the identification of nematicidal compounds such as anthelmintics for the control of nematodes. The assay comprises: (i) incubating a nematode sample (i.e. a “test nematode sample”) containing a pre-determined amount of nematodes with an ingestable substrate labelled with a readily detectable label, under conditions suitable for nematode feeding, wherein said incubation is conducted in the presence of said candidate nematicidal compound or follows a pre-incubation of said nematode sample with said candidate nematicidal compound, and (ii) determining whether said candidate nematicidal compound affects nematode feeding by detecting an increase or decrease in ingested substrate as compared to that which has been ingested by a control nematode sample which has been incubated without said candidate nematicidal compound.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection or disease in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound according to the formula (1). Wherein; denotes a single or double bond or an epoxidised bond, and A1 to A13 are independently selected from moieties as depicted in the description. Also claimed are methods for disinfecting surfaces using the above compound, and claims to the above compound.

Abstract: Invertebrate 5-HT3 receptors, especially from the nematode Ceanorhabditis elegans, and polynucleotide molecules encoding same are disclosed. The receptors and polynucleotide molecules may be used in assays to identify and/or assess candidate compounds for use as nematicidal, insecticidal and/or other pesticidal use.

Abstract: The invention relates to any assay for the identification of nematicidal compounds such as anthelmintics for the control of nematodes. The assay comprises: (i) incubating a nematode sample (i.e. a “test nematode sample”) containing a pre-determined amount of nematodes with an ingestable substrate labelled with a readily detectable label, under conditions suitable for nematode feeding, wherein said incubation is conducted in the presence of said candidate nematicidal compound or follows a pre-incubation of said nematode sample with said candidate nematicidal compound, and (ii) determining whether said candidate nematicidal compound affects nematode feeding by detecting an increase or decrease in ingested substrate as compared to that which has been ingested by a control nematode sample which has been incubated without said candidate nematicidal compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated immunoreactive molecule (IRM) capable of binding to a target molecule from at least one species or sub-species of the insect but not to at least one other species or sub-species of insect and a method of identifying one or more insect species or subspecies and kits therefor. The invention is particularly useful for distinguishing between Lepidopterans such as Helicoverpa aemigera and H. punctigera, and H. zea and Heliothis virescens.

Abstract: An isolated immunoreactive molecule (IRM) capable of binding to a target molecule from at least one species or sub-species of the insect but not to at least one other species or sub-species of insect and a method of identifying one or more insect species or subspecies and kits therefor. The invention is particularly useful for distinguishing between Lepidopterans such as Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera.