Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific method accomplishing fast and specific detection, identification and characterization of contaminating micro-organisms in various samples. A method has been developed based on the detection of species-specific and/or strain-specific nucleotide sequences that are uniquely identified and amplified and subsequently detected on a microarray using addressable identifier ZIP oligonucleotides. By using a two step screening process, the method of the present invention enables in first instance the fast screening of a multitude of samples for the presence or the absence of specific micro-organisms in such samples, while in a second screening step the positive results of the first step are further processed to identify and characterize the detected micro-organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific method accomplishing fast and specific detection, identification and characterization of contaminating micro-organisms in various samples. A method has been developed based on the detection of species-specific and/or strain-specific nucleotide sequences that are uniquely identified and amplified and subsequently detected on a microarray using addressable identifier ZIP oligonucleotides. By using a two step screening process, the method of the present invention enables in first instance the fast screening of a multitude of samples for the presence or the absence of specific micro-organisms in such samples, while in a second screening step the positive results of the first step are further processed to identify and characterize the detected micro-organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific method accomplishing fast and specific identification of contaminating micro-organisms in large amounts of food stuffs. A method has been developed based on random genome fragments or Zipcode oligonucleotides and DNA microarray technology that overcomes the disadvantages of whole-genome DNA-DNA hybridisation. In particular, the present invention provides a method for characterising micro-organisms possibly present in a sample, comprising the steps of collecting said micro-organisms if present, extracting nucleic acids from said micro-organisms, specifically amplifying said nucleic acids, thereby providing an amplified nucleic acid mixture comprising the target nucleic acid in amplified form, and analysing the amplified nucleic acid mixture, whereby the said micro-organisms if present are characterised. The present invention further relates to the use of filters, microarrays and amplification steps in said method as well as a kit comprising the same.