Abstract: The present disclosure provides for composition of ?PNA probes. Additionally, the present disclosure provide for methods and kits using ?PNA probes for the prognosis of sepsis. In some embodiments, wherein the ?PNA capture probes and ?PNA reporter probes comprise one or more functional moiety selected from the group consisting of: a binding molecule, a spacer group, a linker group, a hydrophobicity-changing group, a charge-inducing group, and a structural charge-inducing group.