Abstract: An apparatus configured to enable the concentration of paramagnetic and/or superparamagnetic materials in a fluid for the purpose of examining such materials. The apparatus includes a magnet container arranged to be located proximate to a material container containing the materials to be examined. The magnet container includes therein a fluid and one or more magnets. The magnet container further includes means for controlling the movement of the one or more magnets in the fluid to allow the attraction of the paramagnetic and/or superparamagnetic materials in the material container to the one or more magnets as they travel in the magnet container so as to concentrate those materials. Several options for controlling the movement of the one or more magnets are described, including fluid viscosity selection, magnet shape and size selection, the use of an inclined pathway and the use of an inclined plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification, sequencing, and isolation of an A25 bacteriophage lysin gene that expresses a protein involved in the lysis of bacterial cells during the phage life cycle. The invention further relates to methods for lysing certain bacteria using lysin, which are useful for example in a diagnostic procedure designed to detect these bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification, sequencing, and isolation of an A25 bacteriophage lysin gene that expresses a protein involved in the lysis of bacterial cells during the phage life cycle. The invention further relates to methods for lysing certain bacteria using lysin, which are useful for example in a diagnostic procedure designed to detect these bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification, sequencing, and isolation of an A25 bacteriophage lysin gene that expresses a protein involved in the lysis of bacterial cells during the phage life cycle. The invention further relates to methods for lysing certain bacteria using lysin, which are useful for example in a diagnostic procedure designed to detect these bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification, sequencing, and isolation of an A25 bacteriophage lysin gene that expresses a protein involved in the lysis of bacterial cells during the phage life cycle. The invention further relates to methods for lysing certain bacteria using lysin, which are useful for example in a diagnostic procedure designed to detect these bacteria.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for determining the strain of a pathogen in a sample.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for determining the strain of a pathogen in a sample.

Abstract: Provided are methods comprising the use of non-sugar organic compatible solutes for protection and preservation of the activity of biologically active molecules and conjugate labels. The methods are particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with immunoassays, such as for example, immunochromatographic test assays and may be incorporated into any test methodology wherein a dry test strip is used as a carrier for depositing, mobilizeable and/or immobilized biologically active molecules and/or conjugate labels.

Abstract: Provided are methods comprising the use of non-sugar organic compatible solutes for protection and preservation of the activity of biologically active molecules and conjugate labels. The methods are particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with immunoassays, such as for example, immunochromatographic test assays and may be incorporated into any test methodology wherein a dry test strip is used as a carrier for depositing, mobilizeable and/or immobilized biologically active molecules and/or conjugate labels.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for determining the strain of a pathogen in a sample.

Abstract: Provided are methods comprising the use of non-sugar organic compatible solutes for protection and preservation of the activity of biologically active molecules and conjugate labels. The methods are particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with immunoassays, such as for example, immunochromatographic test assays and may be incorporated into any test methodology wherein a dry test strip is used as a carrier for depositing, mobilizeable and/or immobilized biologically active molecules and/or conjugate labels.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for enumerating microbial cells in an aqueous test sample comprising: fluorescently labeling the microbial cells in test sample intermixing a known amount of monodispersed fluorescently labeled beads of about cell size into the test sample, and determining the ratio of bacterial cells to fluorescently labeled beads, the reagents for practicing this method. The methods and reagents of the present invention are particularly useful in counting bacterial cells in urine.