Abstract: A small, portable, hand-sized apparatus for detecting microorganisms or chemicals in liquid samples by fluorescence polarization. The apparatus operates using a low power excitation light source, such as an LED, in order to irradiate a sample with polarized light. Detection of emitted polarized light from the sample is detected in multiple planes simultaneously using low power detectors resulting in an elimination of error caused by drifts in intensity in sequential measurements and in reducing assay time.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a competitive method for estimating the concentration in a sample of a Bacillus anthracis protein or antibody thereof selected from the group consisting of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). The method may employ the use of Fluorescence Polarization, FLT or FRET. The competitive methods are capable of detecting a target protein within 5 minutes within the range of 0.1 to 10.0 nM. The methods provide for the rapid detection and quantitation of bacteria, bacterial antigen or antibody in culture media or broth of growing cultures of bacteria, including B. anthracis by fluorescent methods.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a method for detecting the presence of a biological substance of interest in a test sample of saliva or oral fluid, comprising combining said test sample with a fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance and detecting a change in the fluorescence polarization of said test sample produced by binding of said fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, said method comprises additional steps for comparing the fluorescence polarization of said test sample with the fluorescence polarization of a control solution. Also provided is a miniaturized, portable apparatus for measuring the fluorescence polarization of a liquid sample.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a method of measuring non-protein hydrophobic and protein target antigens by competitive fluorescence polarization using peptide mimics as competitors. The peptide mimics used in the inventive method contain conformational epitopes not represented in the linear sequence. The method can be used in the detection of a wide range of agents including steroids, hormones, nucleic acids, proteins and infectious organisms. A method for the detection of cortisol and gamma-interferon is also contemplated in the method. Samples suitable for analysis by the inventive method include environmental samples and bodily fluids including serum and oral fluids including saliva.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a method for detecting the presence of a biological substance of interest in a test sample of saliva or oral fluid, comprising combining said test sample with a fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance and detecting a change in the fluorescence polarization of said test sample produced by binding of said fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, said method comprises additional steps for comparing the fluorescence polarization of said test sample with the fluorescence polarization of a control solution. Also provided is a miniaturized, portable apparatus for measuring the fluorescence polarization of a liquid sample.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a competitive method for estimating the concentration in a sample of a Bacillus anthracis protein or antibody thereof selected from the group consisting of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). The method may employ the use of Fluorescence Polarization, FLT or FRET. The competitive methods are capable of detecting a target protein within 5 minutes within the range of 0.1 to 10.0 nM. The methods provide for the rapid detection and quantitation of bacteria, bacterial antigen or antibody in culture media or broth of growing cultures of bacteria, including B. anthracis by fluorescent methods.