Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering lithium from brine, and provides a method for recovering lithium from brine, the method comprising: (a) an impurity removal step of adding a carbonate supply source to brine including lithium, magnesium and calcium to precipitate and remove magnesium and calcium impurities; (b) a pH adjusting step of adding an acid to the brine from which the impurities have been removed, to adjust the pH of the brine; (c) a lithium-aluminum compound recovery step of adding an aluminum supply source to the pH-adjusted brine to recover a lithium-aluminum compound; (d) a lithium sulfate and aluminum oxide formation step of adding the lithium-aluminum compound to a sulfur supply source and calcining same to form lithium sulfate and aluminum oxide; and (e) a lithium sulfate solution yield step of selectively dissolving lithium sulfate from among the formed lithium sulfate and aluminum oxide to yield a lithium sulfate solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a vaccine to enhance the immune response of an animal in need of protection against a Chlamydia infection. The present invention is also directed toward an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising at least 70% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 11, 13, 19, or 21, wherein the polypeptide is soluble in the absence of denaturing agents. In some aspects of the invention, the polynucleotide is codon-optimized. In some embodiments, the present invention is related to the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of the invention. Administration of polypeptides of the present invention can be used as a method to treat or prevent a Chlamydia infection in an animal in need thereof.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a competitive method for estimating the concentration in a sample of a Bacillus anthracis protein or antibody thereof selected from the group consisting of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). The method may employ the use of Fluorescence Polarization, FLT or FRET. The competitive methods are capable of detecting a target protein within 5 minutes within the range of 0.1 to 10.0 nM. The methods provide for the rapid detection and quantitation of bacteria, bacterial antigen or antibody in culture media or broth of growing cultures of bacteria, including B. anthracis by fluorescent methods.

Abstract: Recombinant immunogenic compositions and methods for protecting against lethal infections from Bacillus anthracis having a variant of recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (rPA) and a variant of recombinant Bacillus anthracis lethal factor (rLF). These proteins may be expressed separately or as a fusion protein. The recombinant proteins are produced in an avirulent strain of Bacillus anthracis that overproduces the desired antigens. The compositions and methods induce the animal host to produce antibodies against a virulent strain of Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a competitive method for estimating the concentration in a sample of a Bacillus anthracis protein or antibody thereof selected from the group consisting of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). The method may employ the use of Fluorescence Polarization, FLT or FRET. The competitive methods are capable of detecting a target protein within 5 minutes within the range of 0.1 to 10.0 nM. The methods provide for the rapid detection and quantitation of bacteria, bacterial antigen or antibody in culture media or broth of growing cultures of bacteria, including B. anthracis by fluorescent methods.

Abstract: Recombinant immunogenic compositions and methods for protecting against lethal infections from Bacillus anthracis having a variant of recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (rPA) and a variant of recombinant Bacillus anthracis lethal factor (rLF). These proteins may be expressed separately or as a fusion protein. The recombinant proteins are produced in an avirulent strain of Bacillus anthracis that overproduces the desired antigens. The compositions and methods induce the animal host to produce antibodies against a virulent strain of Bacillus anthracis.