Genprime, Inc.

James E Fleming

Jason Buck Somes

Darby Dawn McLean

Jerad R Holcomb

Stephen Paul McGrew

Jesse M McGrew

Patrick Nicholes

Johnny Humphreys

Stephen P Mcgrew

A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for viable and nonviable prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell quantitation

An assay system includes an optical imager to acquire high resolution images of assay strips (e.g., lateral flow immunochromatographic test strips) and performs image processing to identify individual assay strips and determine results for each assay strip, by quantifies the presence or absence of test signal line(s) and control signal line(s). Assay strips may be in a holder or carrier contained in a specimen container also holding a specimen. The assay system automatically logs all results and data to a database that stores a high resolution image of the original immunochromatographic assay, the values of test line(s) and control line(s), and the test result. A user interface directs an end user through operation.

Apparatus, method and article to perform assays using assay strips

A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. The method may include a variety of steps including: 1) suspending the cells in a detergent-like compound, 2) isolating the washed cells by centrifugation or filtration, 3) resuspending the cells in a solution that contains a preservative, a fluorescent dye and a compound such as dequalinium which can be taken up by the cells, 4) measuring the fluorescence increase over time of the cell-dye mixture with a simple fluorometer, and 5) measuring the native fluorescence of the cells. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

The present invention includes compositions, kits, and methods useful for the detection of bacteria. These agents and methods are primarily directed to a method of detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample, involving incubating the sample with an agent that binds to bacteria, such as, e.g., an agent specific for peptidoglycan or a component thereof, and then detecting bound bacteria. The invention includes lateral-flow immunoassay methods and devices for assessing the total bacterial load in a liquid sample.

Methods, compositions, and kits for the detection of bacteria in a sample

This invention describes methods and kits for detecting and quantifying viable cells in a sample using fluorescent dyes that can be internalized predominantly by viable cells and have fluorescent properties measurably altered when bound to target components. These methods and kits provide a rapid and cost-effective means of detecting potential biological threats in the field.

Method and apparatus for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell quantitation

This invention describes kits for quantifying viable cells in a sample using fluorescent dyes that can be internalized predominately by viable cells and have fluorescence properties measurably altered when bound to target components. These kits circumvent the need for training personnel in plating, growing and count viable cells, and reduce both the time and the cost required for cellular quantitation according to existing techniques.

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Spokane, WA, United States of America

James E Fleming