Abstract: Subject of the present invention is a combination of nucleic acid molecules capable of hybridizing with a target nucleic acid sequence. In order to overcome problems with the reproducibility of FISH assays and to decrease assay time, hairpin probes are used in combination with helper probes annealing adjacent to the target site of the hairpin probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a kit for the detection of an antibiotic resistance in a predetermined micro-organism in a biological sample. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: (a) contacting the biological sample with a first nucleic acid labelled with a first label and capable of selectively hybridizing with a nucleic acid in the micro-organism, (b) identifying the micro-organism by the detection of the presence of the first label in an individual cell of the micro-organism, (c) contacting the sample with at least one probe for detection of an antibiotic resistance in a micro-organism, wherein said at least one probe is labelled with at least a second label, and (d) determining the antibiotic resistance of the micro-organism by the detection of the presence of at least the second label, wherein steps (b) and (d) are performed simultaneously so as to allow quick identification of a pathogen directly from a sample without culturing and without prior amplification.

Abstract: Subject of the present invention is a combination of nucleic acid molecules capable of hybridizing with a target nucleic acid sequence. In order to overcome problems with the reproducibility of FISH assays and to decrease assay time, hairpin probes are used in combination with helper probes annealing adjacent to the target site of the hairpin probe.

Abstract: Subject of the present invention is a combination of nucleic acid molecules capable of hybridising with a target nucleic acid sequence. In order to overcome problems with the reproducibility of FISH assays and to decrease assay time, hairpin probes are used in combination with helper probes annealing adjacent to the target site of the hairpin probe.