3m Innovative Properties Company

James H Wicks

Gary E Krejcarek

Carl A Adams

Michael G Williams

A device that includes at least two chambers separated by an activatable seal wherein upon activation of the seal the two chambers are in communication, and further wherein at least one chamber of the device includes a biological assay reagent and methods of using same.

Devices and methods for microorganism detection

Methods of detecting bacteria including the use of an immobilized enzyme substrate are provided.

Bacteria detection using immobilized enzyme substrates

Methods of detecting bacteria including the use of an immobilized enzyme substrate, and the immobilized enzyme substrate.

Bacteria and bacteriophage detection using immobilized enzyme substrates

The use of a precipitable dye and a contrast-coloring dye together enhance visualization of plaques in confluent lawns of bacteria in bacteriophage and bacteria assays. A test sample suspected of containing a bacteriophage is combined with bacteria capable of replicating the bacteriophage, and applied to a water-proof surface to form a support for bacterial growth. The support is provided with the contrast-coloring dye and precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteria. A lawn of bacteria is formed on the support, and plaques detected on the lawn indicate presence of the bacteriophage. The plaques contain a precipitate formed by enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme of the bacterial lawn. A similar procedure is used for detecting bacteria, except that a test sample suspected of containing a bacteria is combined with bacteriophage capable of replicating in the bacteria, and plaques detected indicate presence of the bacteria. The bacteriophage and bacteria assays are carried out with a disposable device containing at least one well having a water-proof surface and a depth of about at least 5 millimeters. A hydratable material containing the contrast-coloring dye and precipitable dye is positioned on the surface. The well may contain substantially vertical sides with a removable cover resting on top of the sides.

Method and device for detecting bacteriophage using contrast-coloring

Bacteria are detected in a test sample by contacting the test sample with a bacteriophage that is capable of replicating in the bacteria, adding the resultant sample to a water-proof surface of a support for bacterial growth that contains a contrast-coloring dye and a precipitable dye, forming a bacterial lawn of a bacteria in which the bacteriophage can replicate on the support and detecting plaques on the bacterial lawn as an indication of the presence of the bacteria. The combination of precipitable dye and contrast-coloring dye improves visualization of plaques. A precipitate is formed in plaques by enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme of the bacterial lawn. A procedure for detecting bacteriophage is similar to that for detecting bacteria, except that a test sample suspected of containing bacteriophage is combined with bacteria in which the bacteriophage can replicate, and plaques detected indicate presence of the bacteriophage. The bacteria and bacteriophage detections are carried out with a disposable device containing at least one well having a water-proof surface and substantially vertical sides that extend at least 5 millimeters in height from the surface. A hydratable material containing the precipitable dye and the contrast-coloring dye is positioned on the water-proof surface. A removable cover rests on top of the sides of the well.

Growing community of inventors

Oakdale, MN, United States of America

James H Wicks