Comparative phenotype analysis of two or more microorganisms using a plurality of substrates within a microwell device
First Claim
1. A method for comparing at least two cell preparations, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a testing device comprising;
i) a plurality of testing wells, wherein said wells contain at least one test substrate selected from the group consisting of nitrogen sources, phosphorus sources, sulfur sources, and auxotrophic supplements, and ii) at least one chromogenic compound;
b) preparing a first suspension comprising a first cell preparation and a second suspension comprising a second cell preparation, wherein said first and said second cell preparations are each in an aqueous solution comprising a gelling agent, under conditions such that said gelling agent remains ungelled;
c) introducing said first and second suspension into said wells of said testing device;
d) detecting the response of said first and second cell preparations to said at least one test substrate; and
e) comparing the response of said first and second cell preparations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to growing and testing microorganisms in a multitest format which utilizes a gel forming matrix for the rapid screening of clinical and environmental cultures. The present invention is suited for the characterization of commonly encountered microorganisms (e.g., E. coli, S. aureus, etc.), as well as commercially and industrially important organisms from various and diverse environments (e.g., the present invention is particularly suited for the growth and characterization of the actinomycetes and fungi). The present invention is also particularly suited for comparative analysis of phenotypic differences between cell types, including strains of microorganisms that have been designated as the same genus and species, as well as other cell types (e.g., mammalian, insect, and plant cells).
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for comparing at least two cell preparations, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a testing device comprising;
i) a plurality of testing wells, wherein said wells contain at least one test substrate selected from the group consisting of nitrogen sources, phosphorus sources, sulfur sources, and auxotrophic supplements, and ii) at least one chromogenic compound;
b) preparing a first suspension comprising a first cell preparation and a second suspension comprising a second cell preparation, wherein said first and said second cell preparations are each in an aqueous solution comprising a gelling agent, under conditions such that said gelling agent remains ungelled;
c) introducing said first and second suspension into said wells of said testing device;
d) detecting the response of said first and second cell preparations to said at least one test substrate; and
e) comparing the response of said first and second cell preparations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining the phenotype differences in at least two cell preparations, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a testing device comprising;
i) a plurality of testing wells, wherein said wells contain one or more gel-initiating agents and at least one testing substrate selected from the group consisting of nitrogen sources, phosphorus sources, sulfur sources, and auxotrophic supplements, and ii) at least one chromogenic compound;
b) preparing a first suspension comprising a first cell preparation, in an aqueous solution comprising a gelling agent, and a second suspension comprising a second cell preparation, in an aqueous solution comprising a gelling agent, under conditions such that said first and second suspensions remain ungelled;
c) introducing said first and second suspension into said wells of said testing device under conditions such that said first and second suspensions form a gel matrix within said wells and said first and second cell preparations are within said gel matrix;
d) detecting the response of said first and second cell preparations to said testing substrate; and
e) comparing the response of said first and second cell preparations. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A kit for determining the phenotypes of at least two organisms, comprising:
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i) a testing device comprising;
i) a plurality of wells, wherein said wells contain at least one testing substrate selected from the group consisting of nitrogen sources, phosphorus sources, sulfur sources, and auxotrophic supplements, and ii) at least one chromogenic compound;
ii) a first aqueous suspension comprising a gelling agent; and
iii) a second aqueous suspension comprising a gelling agent. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification