Ultra-sensitive and rapid detection of nucleic acids and microorganisms in body fluids using single-molecule tethering.

ABSTRACT: Detection of microbial nucleic acids in body fluids has become the preferred method for rapid diagnosis of many infectious diseases. However, culture-based diagnostics that are time-consuming remain the gold standard approach in certain cases, such as sepsis. New culture-free methods are urgently needed. Here, we describe Single MOLecule Tethering or SMOLT, an amplification-free and purification-free molecular assay that can detect microorganisms in body fluids with high sensitivity without the need of culturing. The signal of SMOLT is generated by the displacement of micron-size beads tethered by DNA probes that are between 1 and 7 microns long. The molecular extension of thousands of DNA probes is determined with sub-micron precision using a robust and rapid optical approach. We demonstr

SUBMITTER: Cheng WC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7508858 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature