Abstract:
A method of making a live cell construct is carried out by: (a) providing a non-cellular support having a top surface and a bottom surface, (b) contacting live undifferentiated cells to the non-cellular support, and then (c) propagating a gastrointestinal epithelial cell monolayer on said top surface. In some embodiments, the live cells in the monolayer include: (i) undifferentiated cells (e.g., stem or progenitor cells); and (ii) optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, differentiated cells (e.g., enterocytes, Paneth cells, enteroendocrine cells, tuft cells, microcells, intra-epithelial lymphocytes, and/or goblet cells). Constructs formed by such methods and methods of using the same (e.g., in high through-put screening) are also described.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides methods for enumeration of microorganisms within a freeze-dried powder suspected of containing Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for distinguishing between and enumerating strains of lactic acid bacteria or Bifidobacteria present in a food product. This method implements various agar culture media and/or selective culture conditions, combined with various chromogenic substrates.
Abstract:
The contamination of foodstuffs, additives, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the like by undesirable micro-organisms is threat to public health. On occasion, the level of bacteria that conventional testing techniques are designed to look for is so low that the test result for the bacterium is “negative”. However, the bacterium although present in un-detectably small amounts may multiply under the right conditions and given the shelf life of the product, may be able to recover to an extent whereby public health is threatened. This problem is alleviated by the provision of micro-organism testing apparatus comprising (a) an incubator, and (b) a multi-compartment resealable container provided with or adapted to receive a growth medium in one compartment and having a growth medium additive in another compartment, the compartments being separated by a barrier whose removal or puncture will expose the medium to the additive.
Abstract:
Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, presence, and/or amounts of one or more of a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. Each chamber may include analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more of a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device can comprise wells and each well can comprise an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.
Abstract:
A method is provided for screening microorganisms having a selectable characteristic comprising: (a) providing a growth chamber capable of forming a plurality of discrete compartments, said compartments comprising a barrier which inhibits the diffusion of metabolites or nutrients between said compartments within said growth chamber; (b) preparing a growth medium which, by its lack of or addition of one or more metabolites or nutrients, preferentially facilitates growth of microorganisms exhibiting said selectable characteristic from microorganisms which do not exhibit said selectable characteristic; (c) inoculating said growth medium with a plurality of microorganisms, a portion of which comprise said selectable characteristic; (d) placing said inoculated growth medium into said growth chamber so as to randomly disperse said microorganisms among discrete compartments in said growth chamber; and (e) incubating said growth chamber for a suitable time and under suitable conditions to obtain a detectable disparity of growth between microorganisms having said selectable characteristic and microorganisms lacking said selectable characteristic.
Abstract:
A disposable article of manufacture is provided which comprises a Petri-type dish which is divided into separate compartments containing culture media adapted for the rapid identification of uropathogenic bacteria and colony count determination.