Assays, test kits and bacteria for detection of autoinducers
AssigneeWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
InventorPaul Vernon Dunlap
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Abstract
The invention provides assays, kits and bacteria useful for detection of autoinducers. In a preferred aspect, the assay comprises 1) contacting a test sample suspected of containing an autoinducer with bacteria of the invention that are capable of producing an elevated amount of light in the presence of an exogenous autoinducer and that has at least two distinct genetic alterations that can each inhibit production of endogenous autoinducers; and 2) measuring the production of light. The sample will test positive for the presence of an autoinducer if a greater amount of light is produced relative to a control. The assays and kits have a variety of applications including use as an in vitro diagnostic for animal and plant disorders.
Claims10
An assay for detecting an autoinducer molecule in a test sample comprising:
- contacting the test sample with bacteria comprising Vibrio fischeri which have autoinducer synthetic pathways which will produce, a detectable amount of light in response to an exogenous autoinducer, the bacteria having at least two distinct alterations in the geneloci that participate in the autoinducer pathways that each inhibit production of endogenous autoinducers;
- and
- measuring light produced by the bacteria.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.