Dnazymes for detecting Legionella pneumophila

Abstract

This disclosure relates to DNAzymes and biosensors for detecting pathogenic bacteria, and in particular, for detecting Legionella pneumophila. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting the presence of Legionella pneumophila in a test sample, comprising: a) contacting said test sample with the DNAzyme or biosensor described herein, wherein the DNAzyme comprises a detectable label; b) allowing cleavage of the DNAzyme if a target is present, thereby releasing the detectable label; and c) measuring a detectable signal if the portion of the DNAzyme comprising the detectable label is released, wherein the RNA cleavage activity of the DNAzyme is activated by a target from Legionella pneumophila.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.