Abstract: The present disclosure describes Bst polymerase variants which exhibit DNA-dependent DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase activity, and methods of use thereof. The Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure may be combined with a separate enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity to amplify target RNA sequences; however, the addition of a separate enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity is not necessary for the successful amplification of RNA targets using the Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure. Target DNA sequences may also be amplified using Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a platform technology for quick and easy detection and identification of single or multiple microorganisms in a sample using peptide labeled oligonucleotides (PLONs). The PLONs are specifically designed to be complementary to certain nucleic acid sequences on a target microorganism. When the PLONs of the present invention are added to nucleic acids extracted from a sample (both biological and/or non-biological), they hybridize to the specific target nucleic acids of the microorganisms, and the PLONs are then detected with one or more specific enzymes coupled to antibodies that are specific to the conjugated peptides attached to the PLONs.