Abstract: Helicoverpa species constitute the most important group of crop pests throughout the world, and scientists have been pursuing the development of biocontrol agents effective for the control of these pests. A virus, the gonad specific virus (GSV), has been discovered which serves this purpose by infecting Helicoverpa species and generally rendering the insects sterile. Those insects which do not become sterile on infection act as carriers of the virus, spreading it among the insect population and producing infected progeny.

Abstract: A method for removing cells from a fermentation broth obtained by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia through a membrane to separate the cells, comprising adding polyethyleneimine to the fermentation broth to form a mixture, and then filtering the mixture through the membrane to separate the cells, said method resulting in improving the membrane permeation rate compared to when no polyethyleneimine is added.

Abstract: Disclosed are a kit, composition and method for cell separation. The kit includes a centrifugable container and an organosilanized silica particle-based cell separation suspension suitable for density gradient separation, containing a polylactam and sterilized by treatment with ionizing radiation. The composition includes a silanized silica particle-based suspension for cell separation which contains at least 0.05% of a polylactam, and preferably treated by ionizing radiation. Also disclosed is a method of isolating rare blood cells from a blood cell mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. Such methods include the concentration of a water sample to form a retentate followed by resolution the retentate by density centrifugation. At least one layer is formed which retains the microbes to be detected. The presence of microbes within resolved layers is then detected.

Abstract: Bioactive substances K93-0711 I-1 and I-2 having inhibitory action on IL-6 activity, are produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces in a medium, whereby the bioactive substances K93-0711 I-1 and I-2 accumulate in the medium. These bioactive substances K93-0711 I-1 and I-2 are then isolated therefrom. The substances are effective for treatment of IL-6-involving diseases such as cancer cachexia, multiple myeloma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The instant invention is an egg wash decontaminating solution and process. The decontaminating solution and process allows for reducing the surface tension of a biofilm allowing for the removal of the biofilm and control of underlying bacteria. A solution of triterpene saponin provides the surface tension wherein an optional soft acid such as food grade sodium lactate operates to control the bacteria. The saponin further acts as a foaming agent providing visual indication of operation while holding matter in suspension.

Abstract: A method of isolating microorganisms and viruses, including phages, bacteriophages and cyanophages from an environment, particularly an aquatic environment, and propagating the isolated microorganisms or viruses for inoculum formulation. A specific target organism or selective growth medium is first immobilized in a stable substrate form such as sodium alginate gel pellets. The substrate containing the target organism or growth medium is then introduced into the environment to be sampled and microorganisms and/or viruses which are pathogenic to the immobilized target organism, or which can utilize the nutrient included in the growth medium, colonize the pellets. The colonizing microorganism or viral pathogens are removed from the gel pellets using standard laboratory techniques. One of the isolated pathogens, particularly an isolated viral pathogen, may be selected and propagated for inoculum formulation.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for checking the removal rate of pyrogenic substances, in particular viruses, from organic material. The material to be purified is passed through an ultrafilter or an ultrafiltration unit whose virus-removal rate has already been determined by passing viruses of the Leviviridae family or other comparable small bacteriophages through the filter or filtration unit, the virus titer is determined before and after the filtration operation and the virus removal rate thus calculated. Before or after determining the virus-removal rate, a given pressure is applied to the filter or filtration unit in a gas pressure-hold test, and the decrease in the pressure over a given period is measured. After filtration of the biological material, the rate of virus removal by the filter is checked by repeating the pressure-hold test.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. The system includes the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation. Practical monolayers of cells may thus be formed to enable meaningful screening of a plurality of treatments and/or agents. By subjecting uniform samples of cells to a wide variety of active agents (and concentrations thereof), the most promising agent and concentration for treatment of a particular patient can be determined.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to products and processes used to determine the presence of bacteria in a sample and particularly relates to a culture medium which may be used in products and processes to allow early detection and count of Enterobacteriaceae. The bacterial culture medium which facilitates the early detection and count of bacteria is a mixture of gelatin peptone and yeast extract, lactose or glucose, sodium chloride, bile salts, guar gum and an excess amount of a sulfonphthalein dye sufficient to provide a high concentration of dye in close proximity to the growing bacteria in order to allow detection and count of the growing bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a family of phospholipid binding and transporting proteins, a method for preparing same from fungi, and their use in cosmeticology, the agri-foodstuffs industry and pharmacology Phospholipid proteins are capable of binding, transporting and/or rearranging lipids between membranes, optionally in combination with active principles. Furthermore, the phospholipid proteins are hydrophobic and acidic, have a molecular weight of under 50 kDa, and may be prepared from a non-toxic filamentous fungus capable of developing on a lipid-enriched medium, particularly from raw extracts of fungi.

Abstract: Processes are provided for removal of cells as cell pellets from liquid milk samples, or from cultures or extracts of other food materials or other materials of biological origin. The concentrated cells in the pellet can be analyzed by various techniques to determine the relative cell count, such as by lysing of the cells followed by measurement of ATP. Nucleic amplification, as by the polymerase chain reaction method, can be carried out using the cellular pellet directly, without need for isolation of nucleic acid from the cells. After the amplification, an assay can be carried out for amplified nucleic acid segment indicative of the presence of cells of interest in the sample. The invention thus provides methods for obtaining cellular components from samples of milk, and cultures or extracts of other materials, including food materials, and for determining relative contamination of milk and such other materials by microorganisms. The invention also provides kits for carrying out its various methods.

Abstract: An assay method is provided to easily and quickly detect the presence of organisms capable of being cultured, such as bacteria, characterized by antibody capture of the organism of interest by use of specialized magnetic beads, incubation of the captured cells to form colonies; removal of material from the colonies with a colony lift membrane; and detection of the colony material on the membrane sheet by use of labeled antibodies, PCR or nucleic acid probes.

Abstract: An expansible, compressed foam is used a s a filter medium and captured particulates are released from the foam by expanding the foam to open its pores. Micro-organisms such as Cryptosporidium or Giardia cysts may be trapped and recovered at high eficiency in a small volume of wash liquid easing further analysis. A foam filter element comprises thirty discs (36) of retriculated foam compressed between end plates (28,30) to about one tenth of their original thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence and/or concentration of a target substance e.g. protein, nucleic acid, bioparticle etc. in a fluid sample is provided. The method disclosed combines elements of immunoassays, coated cup assays and magnetic particle separation to effect the quantitation and recovery of an analyte in solution. Also the method ensures the non-reorientation of magnetically collected material by linking the magnetic particles to a collection surface via a specific binding pair. This linkage immobilizes the magnetic-analyte-containing material and thus allows for vigorous washing and reagent addition without significant redistribution or displacement. Thus the assay of this invention offers the speed of diffusion controlled kinetics as in a ferrofluid assay, the speed of collection of labeled target substance as in a magnetic assay as well as the ability to magnetically monolayer the ferrofluid, all of which is combined with the ease of washing and signal detection found in a coated cup assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for growing biomass particles, particularly microcarrier-bound cells, in an agitated suspension culture vessel in which fresh culture medium is added and spent culture medium is withdrawn continuously or semi-continuously. The improvement comprises withdrawing the spent culture medium through a particle settling chamber located within the vessel and at least partially immersed in the agitated culture medium therewithin. The particle settling chamber comprises a hollow container with a bottom opening through which biomass particles, such as microcarrier-bound cells, settle by gravity back into the agitated culture medium and a top opening through which particle-free spent culture medium is withdrawn form the vessel. The settling chamber is configured such that the fluid velocity of culture medium entering the settling chamber through the bottom opening is significantly less than the biomass particle settling velocity.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with vaccines effective in protecting pigs against porcine pleuropneumonia. Said vaccines comprising a hemolysin and/or macrophage toxin and a 42 kD OMP preparation derived from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) cells induce a complete and heterologous protection against App infection.

Abstract: A method combining the techniques of immunoaffinity separation and continuous flow centrifugal separation is provided for selective separation of a nucleated heterogeneous cell population from a heterogeneous cell mixture. The heterogeneous cell mixture is intimately contacted to promote binding thereto by particles having attached a substance that actively binds to a specific desired type of cell out of the cell mixture. The particles are selected so that the sedimentation velocity of the particle/cell conjugate differs sufficiently from those of other cells in the cell mixture to allow its separation by means of a continuous flow cell separator.

Abstract: The device for conveying and separating a suspension with biological cells or micro-organisms in biological processes has a rotating separating element in a surrounding reaction space with a flow space which is in the form of a rotational gap, an inlet opening, an inner outlet opening for the cell-free medium, an outer through opening and an exit opening for the suspension. The distance R4 of the exit opening from the axis of rotation is greater than the distance R1 of the inlet opening, and the distance R3 of the through opening is greater than the distance R2 of the inner outlet opening. The suspension can thus be conveyed in the flow space and the cells efficiently separated at the same time. The device is particularly suitable for continuous operation with sensitive mammal cells.

Abstract: Particulate material suspended in a fluid is separated and recycled by means of an ultrasonic resonance wave. In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic resonance field is generated within a multilayered composite resonator system including a transducer, the suspension and a mirror parallel to each other. Dimensions and frequencies resonant to the whole system but not exciting Eigen-frequencies of transducer and mirror itself are chosen so that thermal dissipation is minimized. Criteria for flow direction and flow rate are defined in order to maintain a high-quality factor of the composite resonator and to achieve a high-separation efficiency. Generally, the process is suitable for all kinds of particles (solid, liquid or gaseous disperse phases) especially for hydrosols (particles in water) and for separation of biological particles such as mammalian, bacterial and plant cells or aggregates.

Abstract: A biological process includes the step of producing a substantially continuous foam of gas bubbles in a liquid capable of undergoing a biological process utilizing prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. The cells are introduced into the foam after the foam is produced and maintained in the foam under conditions effective to carry out the process. A reaction product of a biological process utilizing a foam culture medium is recovered by subjecting the foam to a pressure change after maintaining the cells in the foam culture medium under conditions effective to sustain the process. An apparatus for carrying out a biological process includes a foam production chamber having one or more inlets for introducing a gas and components of a culture medium. The chamber is adapted for producing a foam of bubbles of the gas in the culture medium. A plug-flow reactor is positioned to receive foam from the foam production chamber as a continuously flowing plug.

Abstract: A centrifugal rotor effects the isolation, in a sequence of steps, of a substance from a mixture of substances dissolved, suspended or dispersed in a sample liquid. Multiple samples are processed simultaneously by means of a plurality of fractionation cells, each of which contains a series of interconnected, chambered and vented compartments in which individual steps of the fractionation and isolation procedure take place. Specific steps in the preferred embodiments include lysis, sedimentation, aggregation, sorption, rinsing, and desorption. The specific compartment occupied by the sample liquid or one of its fractions at any stage of the process is governed by the speed and direction of rotation of the rotor and by gravitational force. The interconnections, chambers and passages of each compartment are sized and angled to prevent predetermined amounts of sample and reagent liquids from overflowing the compartment.

Abstract: A cell strainer assembly useful for filtering and collecting suspensions for use in immunological studies and more particularly in flow cytometry procedures. The assembly comprises a container and a cap with means for filtering and collecting a suspension.

Abstract: Processes are provided for removal of cells as cell pellets from liquid milk samples, or from cultures or extracts of other food materials or other materials of biological origin. The concentrated cells in the pellet can be analyzed by various techniques to determine the relative cell count, such as by lysing of the cells followed by measurement of ATP. Nucleic amplification, as by the polymerase chain reaction method, can be carried out using the cellular pellet directly, without need for isolation of nucleic acid from the cells. After the amplification, an assay can be carried out for amplified nucleic acid segment indicative of the presence of cells of interest in the sample. The invention thus provides methods for obtaining cellular components from samples of milk, and cultures or extracts of other materials, including food materials, and for determining relative contamination of milk and such other materials by microorganisms. The invention also provides kits for carrying out its various methods.

Abstract: An agglutination gene of 4.7.+-.0.2 kb in yeast which codes for a polypeptide which exhibits agglutinative activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain antibiotic compounds, designated N787-182 compounds herein and derivatives thereof, which are antiparasitic agents, active against insect pests, acari, free-living nematodes and endo- and ectoparasites. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical and other compositions containing such compounds, methods of using such compounds, the microorganism Streptomyces hygroscopicus ATCC 53718 and mutants or genetically transformed or recombinant form thereof, and processes for producing such compounds.

Abstract: A method which uses a combination of polymeric cationic and an anionic flocculants to clarify an aqueous solution containing cells of a microorganism and parts thereof is described. The anionic flocculant is based upon a copolymer of an alpha-beta unsaturated monomer of an anhydride, a carboxylic acid or salt and an alpha-beta Unsaturated sulfonic acid or salt monomer. The polymeric cationic surfactant is preferably a quaternary ammonium or tertiary amine containing polymer produced from an alpha-beta unsaturated amino monomer. The method is particularly useful for clarifying solutions wherein a bacterium is used to produce an expressed material such as a protein, peptide, or amino acid dissolved in the solution which is to be separated from the cells or cell parts.

Abstract: An antigen which is specific to vascular endothelium is described. Described is a cell surface antigen which consists of four subunits, of 190, 145, 125 and 110 kd as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions as is a monoclonal antibody specific to this antigen. Uses, both diagnostic and therapeutic, are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a substance from a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the substance with magnetic particles under conditions for non-specific chemical binding of the magnetic particles. Thereafter, the medium is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the particles from the medium. The preferred non-specific binding is achieved as the result of charge interactions between the particles usually by means of a polyionic reagent. The method of the invention has particular application to the separation of cells and microorganisms from aqueous suspensions and also to the determination of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The analyte is a member of a specific binding pair (sbp). The sample is combined in an assay medium with magnetic particles and a sbp member complementary to the analyte.

Abstract: A device for collecting a specimen, including (a) a test vessel for containing a solution containing an immunocomplex, which is a complex as a result of an antigen-antibody reaction between a specimen and a magnetic-labeled antibody containing a magnetic micro-particle and an antibody fixed to the micro-particle, (b) an external magnetic field generating device for generating a magnetic field, preferably a gradient magnetic field and applying it to the solution in the test vessel to effect local concentration of the immunocomplex to a predetermined position, (c) a magnetic member for collecting the immunocomplex at the position of local concentration, and (d) a moving mechanism for achieving relative movement between the magnetic member and the test vessel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the recovery of an insoluble fermentation product from a solid phase cell mass, the process comprising treating the fermentation broth to solubilize the cell mass and separating by known methods the liquid phase from the insoluble (product-containing) phase. The solubilization of the cell mass may be carried out by one or mere treatments with an alkali or acid compound or by enzymatic treatment of the cell mass to lyze the cells.

Abstract: An assay method is provided to easily and quickly detect the presence of organisms capable of being cultured, such as bacteria, characterized by antibody capture of the organism of interest by use of specialized magnetic beads, incubation of the captured cells to form colonies; removal of material from the colonies with a colony lift membrane; and detection of the colony material on the membrane sheet by use of labeled antibodies, PCR or nucleic acid probes.

Abstract: The present invention exploits the herein first reported, empirical observation that even though staphylococci produce the enzyme, beta-glucosidase, this genus of bacteria is not able to produce a metabolite that will enzymatically react with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, a substrate commonly used to detect the presence of beta-glucosidase produced by other bacteria. In view of this unexpected observation, one embodiment of the present invention includes a selective medium containing inhibitors to enhance staphylococci growth as well as a first glucopyranoside substrate, such as 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and a second phosphatase substrate, such as 6-chloro-3-indolylphosphate or 5-bromo-6-chloro-3-indolylphosphate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cleaving an antigen/anti-antigen or hapten/anti-hapten linkage joining two particles comprising reacting said linkage with a secondary antibody, or fragment thereof, binding to said anti-antigen or anti-hapten, and a kit for performing such a method. The method of the invention has particular utility in the separation of cells.

Abstract: The presence of microorganisms in a liquid sample can be determined by a method comprising the steps of (a) filtering the liquid sample through a filter having a pore size which is small enough to prevent passage of microorganisms through the filter but large enough to permit passage of any free reducing agents present in the sample whereby microorganisms present in the sample are retained on the filter; (b) passing a test solution comprising a chromogenic reagent through the filter having the retained microorganisms thereon, said chromogenic reagent having an oxidation potential such that the reagent can be reduced by microbial dehydrogenase and said chromogenic reagent being selected such that reduction of the chromogenic reagent yields a visibly colored product; and (c) monitoring the filter for the formation of a visibly colored product, wherein the formation of a visibly colored product is indicative of the presence of microorganisms in the sample.

Abstract: An agent for combating pests and for protecting plants comprising a carrier-free cell granulate of a microorganism which is suitable for combating pests or for plant treatment such as fungi or bacteria which are capable of mycelium formation, e.g. Deuteromycetes and Metarhizium including the new anisopliae strains DMS 3884 and 3885.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a second ligand from a particle surface without substantially affecting the particle surface, comprising the step of exposing the particle to a first ligand immobilized onto a support, wherein the particle is exposed under conditions and for a residence time sufficient to allow the second ligand to desorb from the particle surface, and wherein the first ligand has an affinity for the second ligand that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the affinity of the second ligand for the particle surface, such that the second ligand is removed from the particle surface without substantially affecting the particle surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for collecting, concentrating and detecting microorganisms from difficult-to-separate environmental samples e.g. oil well samples and the like, for the purpose of their analysis or identification; and apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to products and processes used to determine the presence of bacteria in a sample and particularly relates to a culture medium which may be used in products and processes to allow early detection and count of coliform bacteria. The bacterial culture medium which facilitates the early detection and count of coliform bacteria is a mixture of tryptose, lactose, sodium chloride, bile salts, guar gum and an excess amount of phenol red sufficient to provide a high concentration of phenol red in close proximity to the growing bacteria in order to allow detection and count of the growing bacteria in less than 12 hours.

Abstract: For the determination of a specifically bindable substance by incubation of the sample solution with at least two receptors R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, whereby R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are capable of binding to each other and R.sub.1 is capable of specific binding to the substance to be determined and measurement of the agglutination which occurs in the reaction, a conjugate of one partner of a specific binding pair P and a component K capable of specific binding to the substance to be determined is used as the receptor R.sub.1 and a receptor which has at least two binding sites for P is used as R.sub.2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating a polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria from a mixed culture of non-polysaccharide and polysaccharide producing bacteria, The method uses a streaking technique on a nutrient medium containing unsubstituted gellan as a gellant. The polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria are isolated by the act of non-polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria sinking into the nutrient medium. However, the polysaccharide extracellularly producing bacteria do not sink into the nutrient medium. The isolated cells are capable of producing an exopolysaccharide such as P4. Further the isolated cells are capable of producing gellan. The specific polysaccharide producing bacteria are of the genera Auromonas, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas.

Abstract: Selection of mutant methanotrophic bacteria capable of efficiently degrading halogenated hydrocarbons typically found in numerous wastewater sources is described. The mutants are distinguishable from parental strains in having a unique resistance to the presence of copper while exhibiting unusually high degradation rates toward trichlorethylene. Methylosinus trichosporium A.T.C.C. 55314 strains are particularly good sources of the described mutants which may be obtained using a new method of selection and screening. The disclosed microorganisms may be immobilized on various matrices and are particularly adaptable for use in bioreactors. Further, the methanotrophic bacteria have antibiotic resistance to streptomycin or rifampicin B.

Abstract: Commercial mycoherbicide compositions for the control of round-leaved mallow weeds (Malva pusilla Sm.), the active ingredient being the spores of the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f.sp. malvae, ATCC 20767, these spores having been produced by a two-phase multi-staged liquid fermentation process, then separated from the mycelial biomass and concentrated into a spore slurry. The active ingredient of the mycoherbicide compositions, i.e., spores, can be packaged as a concentrated spore slurry or alternatively, dried and then packaged. Both the liquid and dry forms of the myco-herbicide are packaged in gas- and water-impermeable containers. The spores are stabilized prior to packaging or drying by the addition of a stabilizing agent or alternatively, stabilized after drying by adjusting their final water content. The initial, i.e.

Abstract: A method for producing cells having at least one common optical property, electromagnetic property, or biological property. The cells derived from selected living cells located at particular hole positions on an apertured carrier. The selected living cells are separated from all other cells on the carrier either by removing the selected cells from the carrier, or by removing undesired living cells from the carrier, or by killing undesired living cells on the carrier. The selected cells are growing either on the carrier or after having been removed therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and techniques are described for reversibly binding charged biological particles in a fluid medium to an electrode surface. The methods are useful in a variety of applications. The biological materials may include microbes, proteins, and viruses. The electrode surface may consist of reversibly electroactive materials such as polyvinylferrocene, silicon-linked ferrocene or quinone.

Abstract: A method of removing an antigenic substance from a fluid comprises(1) forming a ternary complex by the interaction of(a) the antigenic substance,(b) a first antibody which contains a kappa chain and which binds to the antigenic substance, and(c) a second antibody which binds to the kappa chain of the first antibody, said second antibody being immobilized on a solid phase carrier, and(2) separating the fluid from the solid phase carrier.

Abstract: Alcohol is suitable for the extraction of salt from biomass-containing suspensions, in particular from the salt-containing lower phase of an aqueous 2-phase extraction of intracellular proteins after cell disruption, with the formation of a salt-containing alcoholic upper phase. It is possible to use ethanol, propanol, isopropanol or tert.-butanol, but especially ethanol, as the alcohol. The upper phase is separated from the lower phase by disk separators or decanters. The extraction is carried out, in particular, as a countercurrent extraction in at least three stages, and uses 10 to 30% by weight salt-containing suspension or liquid with 30 to 50% by weight alcohol, in particular ethanol, remainder water. The alcohol is removed from the resulting salt-rich upper phase by evaporation, and the salt solution is recycled where appropriate after further concentration to obtain proteins.

Abstract: A method and a device for separating certain microorganisms from fecal matter are described. The method is effective in relatively fast detection and identification of bacterial pathogens in e.g. chicken feces, thus making it possible to diagnose certain diseases within a short period of time. The method comprises inducing the bacteria (microorganisms) containing matter through a sequence of basically non-absorbent screens with selected, gradually decreasing pore sizes. Factors important in optimizing the separation process are discussed.