Methods for universal target capture

A method of isolating a microorganism in a sample, the method comprising:

• obtaining a sample suspected of containing at least one microorganism;
• introducing to the sample a virus that causes the microorganism to present a surface element;
• exposing the sample to a capture moiety that binds the surface element presented on the microorganism, thereby forming a capture moiety/microorganism complex;
• and
• isolating the capture moiety/microorganism complex from the sample.