Abstract: A system for the characterization of a colony of microorganisms includes a coherent light source configured to provide coherent light of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is configured to operationally arrange a substrate so that the colony of microorganisms on a surface of the substrate is positioned to receive the coherent light. Scattered light is generated from the colony of microorganisms receiving coherent light. A first image capture device is configured to receive the scattered light and generate a scatter image from the microorganism colony irradiated by the coherent light. The system also includes a magnifying lens configured to magnify the colony of microorganisms. A second image capture device is configured to capture a light image of the colony of microorganisms magnified by the magnifying lens. Methods of assigning organisms to categories with like organisms without necessarily identifying the organisms are also described.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of a colony of microorganisms includes a coherent light source configured to provide coherent light of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is configured to operationally arrange a substrate so that the colony of microorganisms on a surface of the substrate is positioned to receive the coherent light. Scattered light is generated from the colony of microorganisms receiving coherent light. A first image capture device is configured to receive the scattered light and generate a scatter image from the microorganism colony irradiated by the coherent light. The system also includes a magnifying lens configured to magnify the colony of microorganisms. A second image capture device is configured to capture a light image of the colony of microorganisms magnified by the magnifying lens. Methods of assigning organisms to categories with like organisms without necessarily identifying the organisms are also described.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of a colony of microorganisms includes a coherent light source configured to provide coherent light of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is configured to operationally arrange a substrate so that the colony of microorganisms on a surface of the substrate is positioned to receive the coherent light. Scattered light is generated from the colony of microorganisms receiving coherent light. A first image capture device is configured to receive the scattered light and generate a scatter image from the microorganism colony irradiated by the coherent light. The system also includes a magnifying lens configured to magnify the colony of microorganisms. A second image capture device is configured to capture a light image of the colony of microorganisms magnified by the magnifying lens. Methods of assigning organisms to categories with like organisms without necessarily identifying the organisms are also described.

Abstract: Various techniques for characterizing a target within a sample are described. An example method includes applying, to the sample, a recognition construct that includes a metal and a scaffold, wherein the scaffold is configured to bind to the target. Energy can be applied to the sample, wherein the applied energy is sufficient to transform at least some of the sample into a plasma. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma can be detected to provide an optical-spectrum signal of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a target, e.g., microbial samples or biological toxins, includes labeling the target with a biomolecular recognition construct and measuring an atomic-spectra signal of the biomolecular recognition construct. The method can include heating the labeled target before measuring the atomic-spectra signal. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. The biomolecular recognition construct can be prepared by tagging a biological scaffolding with a metal atom or ion. In an aspect in which the target includes a microbial sample, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against epitopes present on bacterial surface, the antibody linked to a heavy metal. In an aspect in which the target includes a biological toxin, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against the biological toxin linked to heavy metals.

Abstract: A target within a sample can be characterized using an energy source configured to transform a metal in the sample into a plasma and an optical spectroscopic detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma to provide an optical-spectrum signal. A processor can determine presence of the metal in the sample using the optical-spectrum signal. The target can include a microbe or biological toxin. A recognition construct comprising a metal and a scaffold can be applied to the sample. The scaffold can bind to the target. Energy can be applied to transform at least some of the sample into a plasma. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma can be detected to provide an optical-spectrum signal of the sample. A preparation subsystem can add the recognition construct to the sample and a washing subsystem can wash unbound recognition construct out of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a target, e.g., microbial samples or biological toxins, includes labeling the target with a biomolecular recognition construct and measuring an atomic-spectra signal of the biomolecular recognition construct. The method can include heating the labeled target before measuring the atomic-spectra signal. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. The biomolecular recognition construct can be prepared by tagging a biological scaffolding with a metal atom or ion. In an aspect in which the target includes a microbial sample, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against epitopes present on bacterial surface, the antibody linked to a heavy metal. In an aspect in which the target includes a biological toxin, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against the biological toxin linked to heavy metals.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of a colony of microorganisms includes a coherent light source configured to provide coherent light of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is configured to operationally arrange a substrate so that the colony of microorganisms on a surface of the substrate is positioned to receive the coherent light. Scattered light is generated from the colony of microorganisms receiving coherent light. A first image capture device is configured to receive the scattered light and generate a scatter image from the microorganism colony irradiated by the coherent light. The system also includes a magnifying lens configured to magnify the colony of microorganisms. A second image capture device is configured to capture a light image of the colony of microorganisms magnified by the magnifying lens. Methods of assigning organisms to categories with like organisms without necessarily identifying the organisms are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a target, e.g., microbial samples or biological toxins, includes labeling the target with a biomolecular recognition construct and measuring an atomic-spectra signal of the biomolecular recognition construct. The method can include heating the labeled target before measuring the atomic-spectra signal. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. The biomolecular recognition construct can be prepared by tagging a biological scaffolding with a metal atom or ion. In an aspect in which the target includes a microbial sample, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against epitopes present on bacterial surface, the antibody linked to a heavy metal. In an aspect in which the target includes a biological toxin, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against the biological toxin linked to heavy metals.

Abstract: A target within a sample can be characterized using an energy source configured to transform a metal in the sample into a plasma and an optical spectroscopic detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma to provide an optical-spectrum signal. A processor can determine presence of the metal in the sample using the optical-spectrum signal. The target can include a microbe or biological toxin. A recognition construct comprising a metal and a scaffold can be applied to the sample. The scaffold can bind to the target. Energy can be applied to transform at least some of the sample into a plasma. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma can be detected to provide an optical-spectrum signal of the sample. A preparation subsystem can add the recognition construct to the sample and a washing subsystem can wash unbound recognition construct out of the sample.