EXTRACTION AND LABELLING OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS WITH MAGNETIC AND FLUORESCENT BEADS OR LIPOSOMES

摘要

A detection agent for detecting target materials, especially biological materials such as bacterial cells, present in a sample material (e.g. a foodstuff) the agent comprising binding means (e.g. an antibody) for binding to the target, magnetic means for extraction of the target and a fluoresent dye for labelling the target. The agents are less than 1 mu m, preferably around 100 nm, in diameter. Methods of use are also disclosed wherein the cells, each labelled by several polymeric-bead agents, are detected by fluorescence-detected flow cytometry. Also disclosed are kits for use in such methods, and processes for manufacturing the kits and agents.