Abstract: This invention is related to methods pertaining to the determination of bacteria and yeast wherein the methods comprise: a) filtering a sample containing bacteria and yeast through at least one filter; b) treating the filter or filters with a medium which facilitates the growth of the bacteria and yeast; c) growing the bacteria and yeast on the filter or filters to thereby produce colonies or microcolonies of the bacteria and yeast; d) fixing the colonies or microcolonies to the filter or filters; e) treating each filter under suitable hybridization conditions with one or more enzyme labeled PNA probes wherein, each PNA probe comprises a probing nucleobase sequence complementary to a target sequence in the nucleic acid of the bacteria and/or yeast; f) removing excess enzyme labeled PNA probe from each of the filters; and g) determining enzyme activity remaining on each filter to thereby identify or enumerate colonies or microcolonies on the filter or filters.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the detection, identification and/or quantitation of yeasts and particularly Dekkera bruxellensis (a.k.a. Brettanomyces) an organism that spoils wine. Preferred probes for the detection of one or more species of the Dekkera/Brettanomyces genus comprise a probing nucleobase sequence, at least a portion of which is selected from the group consisting of: AGC-GGG-TCT-ATT-AGA (Seq. ID No. 1); CCA-GGT-GAG-GGT-CGC (Seq. ID No. 2); CGG-TTG-CCC-GAT-TTC (Seq. ID No. 3); TCG-CCT-TCC-TCC-TCT (Seq. ID No. 4); CGG-TCT-CCA-GCG-ATT (Seq. ID No. 5); CAC-AAG-ATG-TCC-GCG (Seq. ID No. 6); GCG-GGC-ACT-AAT-TGA (Seq. ID No. 7); CAT-CCA-CGA-GGA-ACG (Seq. ID No. 8); GTG-TAA-ACC-AGG-TGC (Seq. ID No. 9); ATG-GCT-CCC-AGA-ACC (Seq. ID No. 10) and GAC-AGA-ATC-GAA-GGG (Seq. ID No. 11).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a rapid and simple method for determining organisms and/or cells in a sample. Generally, the method is directed to the use of molecular probes to selectively stain the organisms and/or cells for determination wherein growth medium, fixative reagents and/or excess molecular probes need not be separated before a determination is made.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a rapid and simple method for determining organisms and/or cells in a sample. Generally, the method is directed to the use of molecular probes to selectively stain the organisms and/or cells for determination wherein growth medium, fixative reagents and/or excess molecular probes need not be separated before a determination is made.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the universal detection of bacteria and/or eucarya. Preferred universal probes for the detection of bacteria comprise a probing nucleobase sequence selected from the group consisting of CTG-CCT-CCC-GTA-GGA; TAC-CAG-GGT-ATC-TAA-T; CAC-GAG-CTG-ACG-ACA and CCG-ACA-AGG-AAT-TTC. Preferred universal probes for the detection of eucarya comprise a probing nucleobase sequence selected from the group consisting of ACC-AGA-CTT-GCC-CTC-C; GGG-CAT-CAC-AGA-CCT-G; TAG-AAA-GGG-CAG-GGA and TAC-AAA-GGG-CAG-GGA. The PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits of this invention are particularly well suited for use in multiplex PNA-FISH assays wherein the bacteria and/or eucarya in a sample can be individually detected, identified or quantitated. Using exemplary assays described herein, the total number of colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria and/or eucarya can be rapidly determined.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the universal detection of bacteria and/or eucarya. Preferred universal probes for the detection of bacteria comprise a probing nucleobase sequence selected from the group consisting of CTG-CCT-CCC-GTA-GGA; TAC-CAG-GGT-ATC-TAA-T; CAC-GAG-CTG-ACG-ACA and CCG-ACA-AGG-AAT-TTC. Preferred universal probes for the detection of eucarya comprise a probing nucleobase sequence selected from the group consisting of ACC-AGA-CTT-GCC-CTC-C; GGG-CAT-CAC-AGA-CCT-G; TAG-AAA-GGG-CAG-GGA and TAC-AAA-GGG-CAG-GGA. The PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits of this invention are particularly well suited for use in multiplex PNA-FISH assays wherein the bacteria and/or eucarya in a sample can be individually detected, identified or quantitated. Using exemplary assays described herein, the total number of colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria and/or eucarya can be rapidly determined.