Abstract: A method of filtering a liquid sample that includes passing a sample comprising at least one biological organism through a filter membrane at a passive water volume flux of at least 10 L/m2·h·psi, wherein the filter membrane comprises a Bubble Point pore size of no more than 1.0 ?m, thereby retaining at least one biological organism on the surface of the membrane; and detecting the at least one biological organism retained on the surface of the filter membrane.

Abstract: A first apparatus for processing a liquid sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample-receiving, a filtrate-receiving component, and an analyte-capture element. The apparatus forms a liquid flow path through which the sample passes, thereby causing the analyte-capture element to capture an analyte, if present. A method is disclosed whereby a liquid sample is passed through the first apparatus and the analyte-capture element is easily separated from the apparatus for further processing and detection of the analyte. A structurally-related second apparatus for processing a plurality of liquid samples, and a corresponding method of use, also is disclosed.

Abstract: A latent effervescent body comprising a selective agent is disclosed. A method of using the latent effervescent body in a method to selectively enrich a target microorganism is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a sample, a culture medium, and the latent effervescent body. The method further comprises contacting the sample, the culture medium, and the latent effervescent body under conditions to facilitate growth of the target microorganism. The method further comprises releasing the selective agent from the latent effervescent body. Optionally, the method includes detecting a microorganism.

Abstract: A first apparatus (100) for processing a liquid sample is disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a sample-receiving (120), a filtrate-receiving component (150), and an analyte-capture element (170). The apparatus (100) forms a liquid flow path through which the sample passes, thereby causing the analyte-capture element (170) to capture an analyte, if present. A method is disclosed whereby a liquid sample is passed through the first (100) apparatus and the analyte-capture element (170) is easily separated from the apparatus for further processing and detection of the analyte. A structurally-related second apparatus (200) for processing a plurality of liquid samples, and a corresponding method of use, also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an assembly for preparing a sample for analysis. The assembly comprises a hollow body comprising first opening, an outlet with a second opening, and a fluid pathway extending therebetween; a filter element operatively interposed in the fluid pathway; and a closure comprising a third opening and a chamber, the closure being slideably engaged with the outlet. The chamber and the outlet are dimensioned so that the outlet is sealingly engaged with the chamber. A method of using the assembly to detect a microorganism is also provided.

Abstract: A latent effervescent body comprising a selective agent is disclosed. A method of using the latent effervescent body in a method to selectively enrich a target microorganism is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a sample, a culture medium, and the latent effervescent body. The method further comprises contacting the sample, the culture medium, and the latent effervescent body under conditions to facilitate growth of the target microorganism. The method further comprises releasing the selective agent from the latent effervescent body. Optionally, the method includes detecting a microorganism.

Abstract: A method of making a flowable, agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises forming a nutrient medium composition by placing a powdered nutrient into a fluidized bed-type agglomeration chamber, flowing a fluidizing gas through the chamber, and contacting in the agglomeration chamber the powdered nutrient with an aerosol spray of an agglomeration liquid; and collecting the composition from the chamber. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. The composition formed by the method comprises a population of agglomerated nutrient medium particles and, optionally, nonagglomerated powdered nutrient. The population comprises at least about 30 weight percent agglomerated nutrient particles having an effective particle diameter of about 250-400 microns. Compositions, thin film culture devices, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: An apparatus and an assembly for processing a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced-apart reservoirs, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of outlets, each outlet comprising an effluent discharge opening. The apparatus forms a plurality of flow paths, each flow path comprising a reservoir, a channel, and an outlet. An analyte capture element can be slideably engaged in a channel in a position where it is in fluid communication with the flow path. The apparatus with the analyte capture element disposed in the flow path can be used to process a liquid sample. A method of detecting an analyte in the liquid sample is also provided.

Abstract: A first apparatus (100) for processing a liquid sample is disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a sample-receiving (120), a filtrate-receiving component (150), and an analyte-capture element (170). The apparatus (100) forms a liquid flow path through which the sample passes, thereby causing the analyte-capture element (170) to capture an analyte, if present. A method is disclosed whereby a liquid sample is passed through the first (100) apparatus and the analyte-capture element (170) is easily separated from the apparatus for further processing and detection of the analyte. A structurally-related second apparatus (200) for processing a plurality of liquid samples, and a corresponding method of use, also is disclosed.

Abstract: A latent effervescent body comprising a selective agent is disclosed. A method of using the latent effervescent body in a method to selectively enrich a target microorganism is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a sample, a culture medium, and the latent effervescent body. The method further comprises contacting the sample, the culture medium, and the latent effervescent body under conditions to facilitate growth of the target microorganism. The method further comprises releasing the selective agent from the latent effervescent body. Optionally, the method includes detecting a microorganism.

Abstract: A method of filtering a liquid sample that includes passing a sample comprising at least one biological organism through a filter membrane at a water volume flux of at least 100 L/m2.h.psi, where the filter membrane comprises a Bubble Point pore size of no more than 1.0 ?m and where at least one biological organism is retained on the surface of the membrane. The method further includes detecting the at least one biological organism retained on the surface of the filter membrane.

Abstract: Stable compositions comprising a nucleic acid binding support material comprising a substrate with functional groups attached to the substrate; a lysing enzyme; a water dispersible matrix material; and a saccharide, methods of using the compositions, and products and devices which include the compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for amplifying nucleic acid after isolating nucleic acid from a sample using functionalized support material.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, devices, and kits, which include an immobilized-metal support material comprising a substrate having a plurality of —C(O)O? or —P(O)(—OH)2-x(—O?)x groups bound to the substrate and a plurality of metal ions, My+, bound to the —C(O)O? or —P(O)(—OH)2-x(—O?)x groups; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of zirconium, gallium, iron, aluminum, scandium, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, and a lanthanide; y is an integer from 3 to 6; and x is 1 or 2, and to which microorganisms and polynucleotides bind, and which can be used for separating and optionally assaying microorganisms and/or a polynucleotide from a sample material are disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical composition including a fluorescent polymer and a receptor that is specific for both a target biological agent and a chemical moiety including (a) a recognition element, (b) a tethering element, and (c) a property-altering element is disclosed. Both the fluorescent polymer and the receptor are co-located on a support. When the chemical moiety is bound to the receptor, the property-altering element is sufficiently close to the fluorescent polymer to alter the fluorescence emitted by the polymer. When an analyte sample is introduced, the target biological agent, if present, binds to the receptor, thereby displacing the chemical moiety from the receptor, resulting in an increase of detected fluorescence. Assays for detecting the presence of a target biological agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Reagents and assays for kinase, phosphatase and protease enzyme activity which employ metal ion-phosphate ligand specific binding and fluorescent polymer superquenching are described. The assays provide a general platform for the measurement of kinase, phosphatase and protease enzyme activity using peptide and protein substrates. Reagents and assays based on DNA hybridization and reagents and assays for proteins which employ aptamers, antibodies and other ligands are also described.

Abstract: A chemical composition including a fluorescent polymer and a receptor that is specific for both a target biological agent and a chemical moiety including (a) a recognition element, (b) a tethering element, and (c) a property-altering element is disclosed. Both the fluorescent polymer and the receptor are co-located on a support. When the chemical moiety is bound to the receptor, the property-altering element is sufficiently close to the fluorescent polymer to alter the fluorescence emitted by the polymer. When an analyte sample is introduced, the target biological agent, if present, binds to the receptor, thereby displacing the chemical moiety from the receptor, resulting in an increase of detected fluorescence. Assays for detecting the presence of a target biological agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-fluorescent dyes (i.e., dark quenchers) which can be used to quench the fluorescence of energy donors in bioassays through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) are described. The dark quenchers can be associated with (e.g., conjugated to) peptides, proteins, antibodies, DNA/RNA, or other biological molecules or receptors or complexed to metal containing compounds to develop bioassays based on donor-acceptor energy transfer. Bioassays are also described wherein an increase or a decrease in separation distance between a fluorescent donor compound and a dark quencher or dark quencher conjugate is detected. Kits including the dark quenchers or dark quencher conjugates are also described.