Sensitive, Specific Molecular Detection of Single Bacteria Cells

A unique amplification chemistry was developed that allows highly specific isothermal detection of bacteria, and presumably eukaryotic cells, at sub-single-cell sensitivities. This is based on the ability to detect rRNA (ribosomal RNA) rather than DNA, as is typical. The difference is that rRNA is present in metabolizing cells at high copy number compared to the cognate DNA coding sequence. This formulation has the additional characteristics of simplified sample preparation, isothermal incubation conditions, and long-term stability in ambient conditions.