Apparatus and method for detecting microscopic organisms using bacteriophage

• US 20070059725A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
• Original Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
• Inventors: Voorhees, Kent
• Granted Patent: US 8,092,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/6
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/04 Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor C12Q1/6897 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54388 based on lateral flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56911 Bacteria

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for detection of microorganisms in a sample. Methods and apparatus of the invention are based on the specificity that phage, for example bacteriophage, have for target microorganisms, for example bacterium. Typically, phage adsorption to target microorganisms act as signal, or a signal target, for the presence of the target microorganism. Typically, the phage are labeled with a detectable signal. Apparatus of the invention are directed toward concentrating the phage adsorbed microorganisms at a predetermined site for flag dependent observation.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A method for in situ detection of a target microorganism on a hard surface comprising:

preparing a detection composition wherein the detection composition comprises a non-volatile media impregnated with at least one bacteriophage having specificity for the target microorganism and wherein each of the at least one bacteriophage are modified to express a detectable marker when the target microorganism is present;

contacting the detection composition with the hard surface for a period of time sufficient to allow the modified bacteriophage to infect and express the detectable marker when the target microorganism is present and the target microorganism is alive; and

in situ detecting the presence of the detectable marker on the hard surface wherein presence of the detectable marker indicates presence of living target microorganism on the hard surface and absence of the detectable marker indicates absence of the target microorganism.