Abstract: The present invention provides a method for allowing foreign particles to penetrate, very efficiently, the cell wall, cell membrane, organelle membrane and/or nuclear membrane of a cell and hybridizing or binding to the complimentary target in the cell. The cells may be from a culture or from specimens obtained from a patient. The foreign particle can be a probe consisting of, for example, either individually or in any combination of two or more of the following: DNA, RNA, peptide nucleic acids (PNA), glycopeptides, lipopeptides, glycolipids or prions. The target is a cell, a cell component or, preferably, a pathogen or pathogen component. The pathogen can be, for example, bacteria, fungi, yeast or viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for allowing foreign particles to penetrate, very efficiently, the cell wall, cell membrane, organelle membrane and/or nuclear membrane of a cell and hybridizing or binding to the complimentary target in the cell. The cells may be from a culture or from specimens obtained from a patient. The foreign particle can be a probe consisting of, for example, either individually or in any combination of two or more of the following: DNA, RNA, peptide nucleic acids (PNA), glycopeptides, lipopeptides, glycolipids or prions. The target is a cell, a cell component or, preferably, a pathogen or pathogen component. The pathogen can be, for example, bacteria, fungi, yeast or viruses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a target antigen in a fluid sample of an individual. In preferred embodiments, the fluid sample is urine, cerebral spinal fluid, or synovial fluid. After an optional concentration step, the fluid sample is passed through a membrane suitable for binding the target antigen, thereby binding the target antigen to the membrane. Target antigen, bound to the membrane, is then detected using an antibody specific to the target antigen.

Abstract: The invention features nucleic acid probes and methods for detecting Pneumocystis carinii (e.g., human or ferret P. carinii) in hybridization assays.

Abstract: New methods for performing sandwich assays have been discovered. The assays utilize dual capture probes and eliminate noise resulting from nonspecific binding of detector probe to capture probe.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of hybridizing to rRNA of Staphylococcus aureus and not to rRNA of non-Staphylococcus aureus are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in food and other samples.

Abstract: Nucleic acids which hybridize to rRNA or rDNA of Haemophilus influenzae and methods for using these nucleic acids to detect the presence of Haemophilus influenzae in a sample are described.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of hybridizing to rRNA or rDNA of Pneumocystis carinii and not to rRNA or rDNA of non-Pneumocystis are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of Pneumocystis carinii in clinical samples.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of hybridizing to rRNA of eubacteria and not to rRNA of non-eubacteria are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of eubacteria in clinical and other samples. Preferred embodiments include probes capable of distinguishing between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: Improved nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of Salmonella and not to rRNA of non-Salmonella are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of Salmonella in food and other samples.