MICROARRAY FOR DETECTING VIABLE ORGANISMS

摘要

A methodology of microarray using the fluorescent DNA intercalating agent propidium monoazide (PMA) to selectively block DNA of dead cells from amplification and its application in detecting and enumerating viable microbes in complex microbial communities is described. A phylogenetic array is used in the preferred embodiment to enhance the sensitivity of the method. The PMA-Microarray assay is particularly applicable for monitoring samples from environments with extremely low microbial burden such as spacecraft surfaces.

主权项

1. A method for detecting live cells in a sample comprising:
selectively amplifying a nucleic acid from live cells from a sample comprising live and dead cells; and detecting the presence, absence, relative abundance, and/or quantity of one or more operational taxon units (OTUs) in the sample based on hybridization of amplified nucleic acid to a plurality of probes complementary to 16s rRNA sequences, wherein said one or more OTUs consist essentially of live cells from said sample.