Abstract: Provided herein is a device for detecting the presence of pathogens in a sample and methods of use thereof. The device and method comprises one or more amplification components, an indicator, and a sensor (e.g., a pH sensitive polymer). Contacting a sample with the one or more amplification components, the indicator, and the sensor (e.g., a pH sensitive polymer) in a first region of the device and subjecting the sample to an amplification method may lead to a change in pH, releasing the indicator to flow towards a second region of the device, which generates a visually detectable signal and indicates the presence of a pathogen.

Abstract: A method of detecting a pathogen in a fluid sample includes adding the fluid sample to a first region of an assembly; amplifying a polynucleotide sequence of a pathogen in the first region using an amplification method; and detecting a presence of the pathogen by one of the following. Identifying a release of a dye from a pH sensitive polymer. Or, identifying a release of a dye from the first region to a second region that are separated by a pH sensitive polymer. Or, activating a pH sensitive dye in the first region to indicate a presence of the pathogen. Or, indicating a presence of the pathogen on a lateral flow assay in a second region that is separated from the first region by a pH sensitive polymer. Each identification, activation, or indication step occurs after the amplification method adjusts a pH of the fluid sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source, at least one of a light focusing element positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source, at least one of a light focusing element positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention features a method of assaying for the interaction of a probe and an unknown target, said method including a) exciting a sample with radiation, the sample including at least one unknown target, at least one probe, and at least one fluorescent tag, b) measuring the fluorescence from a subvolume of the sample, and c) analyzing the fluctuations of the fluorescence.