Abstract: Bacteriophage are combined with a test sample in an incubator, and the bacteriophage-exposed test sample is conjugated and applied to a sample pad in contact with a lateral flow strip to determine the presence or absence of a target bacterium. The conjugation may be performed in the sample pad or prior to application of the bacteriophage-exposed test sample to the pad. The incubator comprises a bacteriophage container and an incubation container separated by a valve. The test sample may be inserted into the incubation chamber using a swab or a rod with a piercing tip and a sample collection eye. The valve comprises a breakable stem. An antibiotic may be added to the test sample to determine the antibiotic resistance or susceptibility of the bacterium.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing an array of immobilized nucleic acids on an array device. The array device has a plurality of microlocations each having an electrode. At least one of the microlocations has a synthetic addressing unit coupled to the microlocation. The microlocation is the activated, usually by electronically biasing the electrode of the microlocation. The at least one microlocation is then contacted by a conjugate which has a nucleic acid and a synthetic binding unit. The conjugate is then coupled to the microlocation through an interaction between the synthetic binding unit and the synthetic addressing unit. In one embodiment, the synthetic binding unit and synthetic addressing unit may be pRNA, pDNA, or CNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugates of synthetic binding units and nucleic acids. The present invention also relates to methods for sorting and immobilizing nucleic acids on support materials using such conjugates by specific molecular addressing of the nucleic acids mediated by the synthetic binding systems. Particularly, the present invention also relates to novel methods of utilizing conjugates of synthetic binding units and nucleic acids to in active electronic array systems to produce novel array constructs from the conjugates, and the use of such constructs in various nucleic acid assay formats. In addition, the present invention relates to various novel forms of such conjugates, improved methods of making solid phase synthesized conjugates, and improved methods of conjugating pre-synthesized synthetic binding units and nucleic acids.