Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic investigations by identification of bioagents associated with biowarfare and acts of terrorism or crime. The methods are also useful for epidemiological investigations by genotyping of bioagents.

Abstract: “The present invention provides systems for: identifying pathogens in biological samples from humans and animals, resolving a plurality of etiologic agents present in samples obtained from humans and animals, determining detailed genetic information about such pathogens or etiologic agents, and rapid detection and identification of bioagents from environmental, clinical or other samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of: identifying pathogens in biological samples from humans and animals, resolving a plurality of etiologic agents present in samples obtained from humans and animals, determining detailed genetic information about such pathogens or etiologic agents, and rapid detection and identification of bioagents from environmental, clinical or other samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of: identifying pathogens in biological samples from humans and animals, resolving a plurality of etiologic agents present in samples obtained from humans and animals, determining detailed genetic information about such pathogens or etiologic agents, and rapid detection and identification of bioagents from environmental, clinical or other samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the quantification of an unknown bioagent in a sample by amplification of nucleic acid of the bioagent, and concurrent amplification of a known quantity of a calibration polynucleotide from which are obtained a bioagent identifying amplicon and a calibration amplicon. Upon molecular mass analysis, mass and abundance data are obtained. The identity of the bioagent is then determined from the molecular mass of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the quantity of the identified bioagent in the sample is determined from the abundance data of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the abundance data of the calibration amplicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of adventitious contaminant viruses by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of investigational bioinformatics and more particularly to secondary structure defining databases. The present invention further relates to methods for interrogating a database as a source of molecular masses of known bioagents for comparing against the molecular mass of an unknown or selected bioagent to determine either the identity of the selected bioagent, and/or to determine the origin of the selected bioagent. The identification of the bioagent is important for determining a proper course of treatment and/or irradication of the bioagent in such cases as biological warfare. Furthermore, the determination of the geographic origin of a selected bioagent will facilitate the identification of potential criminal identity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic investigations by identification of bioagents associated with biowarfare and acts of terrorism or crime. The methods are also useful for epidemiological investigations by genotyping of bioagents.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the quantification of an unknown bioagent in a sample by amplification of nucleic acid of the bioagent, and concurrent amplification of a known quantity of a calibration polynucleotide from which are obtained a bioagent identifying amplicon and a calibration amplicon. Upon molecular mass analysis, mass and abundance data are obtained. The identity of the bioagent is then determined from the molecular mass of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the quantity of the identified bioagent in the sample is determined from the abundance data of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the abundance data of the calibration amplicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of fungi by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide primers and compositions and kits containing the same for rapid identification of orthopoxviruses by amplification of a segment of viral nucleic acid followed by molecular mass analysis are provided.

Abstract: Rapid and definitive bioagent detection and identification can be carried out without nucleic acid sequencing. Analysis of a variety of bioagents and samples, such as air, fluid, and body samples, can be carried out to provide information useful for industrial, medical, and environmental purposes. Nucleic acid samples of unknown or suspected bioagents may be collected, optimal primer pairs may be selected, and the nucleic acid may be amplified. Expected mass spectra signal models may be generated and selected, the actual mass spectra of the amplicons may be obtained. The expected mass spectra most closely correlating with the actual mass spectra may be determined using a joint maximum likelihood analysis, and base counts for the actual mass spectra and the expected mass spectra may be obtained. The most likely candidate bioagents may then be determined.