Methods and compositions for in situ detection of microorganisms on a surface
First Claim
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1. 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.
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Abstract
Compositions and methods for in situ detection of one or more target microorganisms on a surface and preferably on a hard surface. Compositions and methods of the invention are based on the specificity of certain bacteriophage for target microorganisms. Bacteriophage are modified to express detectable biomarkers in the presence of the target microorganism, the detectable markers being detectable on the surface being tested using a portable detection device. Only living microorganisms are detected using the methods and compositions of the invention.
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16 Claims
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1. A method for in situ detection of a target microorganism on a hard surface comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A composition for in situ detection of a target microorganism on a hard surface comprising a non-volatile growth media impregnated with at least one genetically modified bacteriophage, the at least one genetically modified bacteriophage selective to the target microorganism wherein the genetically modified bacteriophage is capable of expressing a detectable marker if the bacteriophage contacts the target microorganism.
Specification