Abstract: The present invention provides a method of specifically detecting the presence of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex, said method comprising detecting ilvC nucleic acid of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex in a sample under conditions that do not detect ilvC nucleic acid of the M. avium complex. The invention also provides methods of diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in a subject employing the specific detection ilvC nucleic acid of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of specifically detecting the presence of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex, said method comprising detecting ilvC nucleic acid of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex in a sample under conditions that do not detect ilvC nucleic acid of the M. avium complex. The invention also provides methods of diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in a subject employing the specific detection ilvC nucleic acid of one or more Mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated M. tuberculosis protein that is a putative Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI; SEQ ID NO: 1) and immunogenic peptide fragments thereof, and antibodies produced against the full-length protein and immunogenic peptide fragments for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and/or infection by one or more mycobacteria of the M. tuberculosis complex in humans, for example using an antigen-based sandwich ELISA format. The present invention also provides multianalyte assays in which the KARI-based diagnostic assays of the present invention are multiplexed with the detection of one or more immunogenic epitopes from one or more other proteins of said mycobacteria e.g., anyone of SEQ IDS NOs: 2, 14, 21, 28-29, 36, or 44, including any combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and kits for use in detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample are disclosed. In one particular application, the methods and kits allow for the detection of an undesirable micro-organism (e.g. Listeriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, or Staphylococcaceae) in food or present on a food preparation surface.

Abstract: Methods and kits for use in detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample are disclosed. In one particular application, the methods and kits allow for the detection of an undesirable micro-organism (e.g. Listeria, Salmonella or Enterobacteriaceae) in food or present on a food preparation surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protienaceous compound or functionally active derivative or part thereof having a binding site for a group represented by formula (I) which is part of a group of toxins derived from various cyanobacteria, to a method for its production, to diagnostic kits and to an affinty matrix (e.g. for use in immunoaffinity columns, online detection and purifications devices) containing the proteinaceous compound as well as to methods for substantially decreasing the amount of a compound containing the group represented by formula (I) in fluids or for concentrating compounds, e.g. toxins, containing the group represented by formula (I) from fluids such as crude water samples, extracts of algae or other tissue samples, e.g. to determine toxin concentrations.