METHODS AND DEVICES FOR RAPID DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF LIVE MICROORGANISMS BY APTAMERS AND/OR ANTIBODIES IMMOBILIZED ON PERMEABLE MEMBRANES

摘要

The invention provides methods devices and kits for rapid detection and identification of one or more live target microorganisms in a liquid sample or grown on plates containing solid nutrient media. The invention includes mixing one or more target microorganisms with one or more aptamers and/or one or more antibodies each conjugated to a reporter compound and specific for a first site on one or more target microorganisms to form a mixture. The mixture is placed on a permeable membrane having immobilized thereon one or more aptamers linked to an amine compound and/or one or more antibodies each specific for a second site on one or more target microorganisms or a site on the aptamer conjugate and/or antibody conjugate. A detection solution is added to the membrane and detection and identification of one or more target microorganisms is achieved in about one hour or less.