Bacillus anthracis secretome time course under host-simulated conditions and identification of immunogenic proteins.

Background: The secretion time course of Bacillus anthracis strain RA3R (pXO1+/pXO2-) during early, mid, and late log phase were investigated under conditions that simulate those encountered in the host. All of the identified proteins were analyzed by different software algorithms to characterize their predicted mode of secretion and cellular localization. In addition, immunogenic proteins were identified using sera from humans with cutaneous anthrax.

Proteomic profiling and identification of immunodominant spore antigens of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis.

Differentially expressed and immunogenic spore proteins of the Bacillus cereus group of bacteria, which includes Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis, were identified. Comparative proteomic profiling of their spore proteins distinguished the three species from each other as well as the virulent from the avirulent strains. A total of 458 proteins encoded by 232 open reading frames were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis for all the species.

Real-time fluorogenic PCR assays for the detection of entA, the gene encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is among the most potent of the growing list of known enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. SEA, a 27 kDa monomeric protein, is encoded by the entA gene. We have developed two real-time fluorogenic PCR assays for the detection of nucleic acid sequences in entA.

Proteomics and bioinformatics strategies to design countermeasures against infectious threat agents.

The potential devastation resulting from an intentional outbreak caused by biological warfare agents such as Brucella abortus and Bacillus anthracis underscores the need for next generation vaccines. Proteomics, genomics, and systems biology approaches coupled with the bacterial ghost (BG) vaccine delivery strategy offer an ideal approach for developing safer, cost-effective, and efficacious vaccines for human use in a relatively rapid time frame. Critical to any subunit vaccine development strategy is the identification of a pathogen's proteins with the greatest potential of eliciting a protective immune response.

Real-time fluorogenic reverse transcription-PCR assays for detection of bacteriophage MS2.

Bacteriophage MS2 is used in place of pathogenic viruses in a wide variety of studies that range from testing of compounds for disinfecting surfaces to studying environmental transport and fate of pathogenic viruses in groundwater. MS2 is also used as a pathogen simulant in the research, development, and testing (including open air tests) of methods, systems, and devices for the detection of pathogens in both the battlefield and homeland defense settings. PCR is often used as either an integral part of such detection systems or as a reference method to assess the sensitivity and specificity of microbial detection.

A rapid and sensitive magnetic bead-based immunoassay for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B for high-through put screening.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is one of many toxins produced by the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcal aureus. While SEB is known as the causative agent of certain food poisonings it is also considered a biological Select Agent. Thus, rapid and accurate identification of SEB during either surveillance or in response to a biothreat is critical to the mitigation of the suspect agent.

Selection and characterization of peptide memitopes binding to ricin.

A combinatorial random peptide display library expressed in E. coli was employed to identify short, linear peptide sequences that showed affinity for ricin and could be used as reagents for detection and identification of ricin. One peptide, P3, from a collection of four short peptides showed specific binding to ricin.

A simple and rapid fluorescence-based immunoassay for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

The bioterrorism threat is perceived to be a real challenge to our nation's security. This threat has necessitated the design of better and faster assays for the detection of biothreat agents including staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a causative agent of food poisoning. This study describes a simple, fast and highly sensitive fluorescence-based immunoassay, in which the antibody is fluorescently-labeled for use in this assay.