title: Reagentless detection of microorganisms by intrinsic fluorescence.
abstract: Quick and accurate detection of microbial contamination is accomplished by a unique combination of leading-edge technologies described in this and the accompanying paper. In this contribution, a hand-held prototype instrument is described which is capable of statistically sampling the environment for microbial contamination and determining cell viability. The technology is sensitive enough to detect very low levels ( approximately 20 cells/cm(2) or cm(3)) of microbes in seconds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Center for the Design of Molecular Function, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4155, USA.
authors.forename: Cory
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Walther
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Powers
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004581:Electronics; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008904:Miniaturization; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents