Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample by, for example, incubating the target nucleic acid with a detection probe containing a nucleic acid sequence complementary to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid and a nuclease enzyme that specifically cleaves double-stranded nucleic acids. Hybridization between the detection probe and the target nucleic acid thereby leads to cleavage of the detection probe, releasing a portion of the probe attached to a detectable agent. The portions of the digested probes attached to the detectable agent can be separated from unbound probe and detected in order to determine the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample. Thus, the invention enables rapid and accurate analysis of a sample for the presence of desired nucleic acid biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample by, for example, incubating the target nucleic acid with a detection probe containing a nucleic acid sequence complementary to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid and a nuclease enzyme that specifically cleaves double-stranded nucleic acids. Hybridization between the detection probe and the target nucleic acid thereby leads to cleavage of the detection probe, releasing a portion of the probe attached to a detectable agent. The portions of the digested probes attached to the detectable agent can be separated from unbound probe and detected in order to determine the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample. Thus, the invention enables rapid and accurate analysis of a sample for the presence of desired nucleic acid biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample using a duplex-specific nuclease (DSN), such as Kamchatka crab nuclease or RNaseH, and compositions for DSN reactions. For example, a composition of the invention may include a sample having a target nucleic acid, a nucleic acid probe, a DSN, and a buffer, and the composition may be maintained at about 90° C. to about 97° C. The target nucleic acid may be detected, for example, by hybridizing the target nucleic acid to a detection probe and digesting the resultant duplex using the duplex-specific nuclease, thus releasing a detectable component of the probe, which can be separated from unbound probe for detection or detected in situ. The invention also features methods of catalyzing hybridization or stabilizing hybridization between nucleic acid strands using DSNs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample by, for example, incubating the target nucleic acid with a detection probe containing a nucleic acid sequence complementary to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid and a nuclease enzyme that specifically cleaves double-stranded nucleic acids. Hybridization between the detection probe and the target nucleic acid thereby leads to cleavage of the detection probe, releasing a portion of the probe attached to a detectable agent. The portions of the digested probes attached to the detectable agent can be separated from unbound probe and detected in order to determine the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample. Thus, the invention enables rapid and accurate analysis of a sample for the presence of desired nucleic acid biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing a sample for the presence of a pathogenic Escherichia coli, the method including detecting the presence of (i) ecf and (ii) wzx and/or stx in the sample, wherein detection of (i) ecf and (ii) wzx and/or stx in the sample is taken as an indication that the sample includes pathogenic E. coli.

Abstract: The invention features a method for isolating a population of pathogenic E. coli cells. The method includes contacting a population of cells with a binding agent that specifically binds to an Ecf polypeptide, wherein the cells bound to the binding agent includes a population of pathogenic E. coli cells. Exemplary Ecf polypeptides include Ecf1, Ecf2, Ecf3, or Ecf4. Exemplary binding agents include antibodies and aptamers.

Abstract: The invention features compositions, methods, and kits for detecting and distinguishing between yeast or mold in a sample suspected of being contaminated with yeast or mold.

Abstract: ECF, such as the ecf operon/gene cluster (e.g., ECF2-1- and ECF2-2 described herein) may be used to detect virulent STECs including virulent non-0157:H7 STEC and virulent non-0157:H7 EHEC. Use of this nucleic acid target, in combination with other targets, such as Z5866, rfb0157, wzx0157, wzy0157, Z0344, Z0372, SIL0157, and katP junction provides a robust, sensitive assay for distinguishing 0157:H7 from virulent non-0157:H7 STEC. Compositions, kits and methods used for the detection of E. coli STEC are further disclosed. Certain E. coli sequences were surprisingly efficacious for the detection of 0157:H7 and virulent non-0157 STECs, such as the big six: 026, 045, 0103, 0111, 0121, and 0145.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for selectively detecting analytes in a homogeneous assay, a heterogeneous assay, or a mixture of the two by contacting a labeled probe:analyte complex with one or more amphiphiles. The invention is also useful for increasing the signal to noise ratio when used in conjunction with other assay systems. In preferred embodiments, the analyte and probe are nucleic acids or proteins.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for selectively detecting analytes in a homogeneous assay, a heterogeneous assay, or a mixture of the two by contacting a labeled probe:analyte complex with one or more amphiphiles. The invention is also useful for increasing the signal to noise ratio when used in conjunction with other assay systems. In preferred embodiments, the analyte and probe are nucleic acids or proteins.