Title: Single-molecule DNA mapping for pathogen detection

Authors: Robert H. Meltzer

Addresses: Pathogenetix, 12 Gill Street, Suite 3150, Woburn, MA 01801, USA

Abstract: Detection and identification of Clostridium botulinum is of particular concern due to the extreme pathogenicity of its toxin. Herein, we review the potential applicability of two novel technologies for detection of Clostridium botulinum and botulinum toxin. Genome sequence scanning (GSS) provides strain-specific bacterial identification from complex bacterial mixtures by detecting the distribution of fluorescent sequence-specific probes along long linearised DNA fragments. Digital DNA (DD) utilises long fluorescent labelled DNA molecules as binary labelled tags to facilitate multiplex antigen detection. Both technologies share automated sample preparation and detection instrumentation. GSS and DD have particular applicability for botulinum detection and identification, but have broad-reaching applicability to food safety testing and clinical diagnostics in general.

Keywords: botulinum neurotoxins; BoNTs; bacterial detection; strain typing; toxin identification; digital DNA; genome sequence scanning; GSS; single molecule DNA mapping; pathogen detection; multiplex assays; clostridium botulinum; botulism; genome sequences; food safety testing; clinical diagnostics.

DOI: 10.1504/TBJ.2012.050199

The Botulinum Journal, 2012 Vol.2 No.2, pp.159 - 163

Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *