Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the detection of bacterial agents such agents as Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum with high sensitivity and selectivity. More specifically, methods and devices are based on a phosphorescence-emission detection system using chelate-stabilized lanthanides (e.g, Eu(III), Tb(III), and Sm(III)) to detect various spore-specific small organic molecules (e.g., dipicolinic acid, diaminopimelic acid, n-acetlymuramic acid, and the like). By careful selection of the chelating agent or ligand coordinated to the lanthanide, both high specificity and selectivity can be obtained. Examples of suitable and preferred sensor systems include N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HEIDA) combined with europium (III) and/or terbium (III). The chelate-stabilized lanthanides react with the spore-specific “target” molecules to form a characteristically phosphorescent product which can then be detected.