Peptide nucleic acid probes for detection, identification and/or quantitation of
Disclosed is a PNA probe that includes a nucleobase sequence suitable for the detection, identification and/or quantitation of Pseudomonas (sensu stricto). In one embodiment, the PNA probe is complementary to a target sequence of 23S rRNA or rDNA from all species of the genus Pseudomonas . The invention has a wide range of important uses including detecting Pseudomonas in a sample of interest.
1. A PNA probe for the detection and/or quantitation of Pseudomonas (sensu stricto), wherein the probe consists of CCT ACC ACC TTA AAC (SEQ ID NO: 1).
2. A method for the detection and/or quantitation of Pseudomonas (sensu stricto) in a sample, said method comprising:
a) contacting the sample with a PNA probe consisting of CCT ACC ACC TTA AAC (SEQ ID NO: 1);
b) hybridizing the PNA probe to a target sequence of Pseudomonas (sensu stricto) in the sample; and
c) detecting the hybridization of the PNA probe to a target sequence as being indicative of presence and/or amount of Pseudomonas (sensu stricto) in the sample.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the hybridization of the PNA probe to a target sequence takes place in-situ.
4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the hybridization is by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.
5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the hybridization does not involve the use of cross-linking reagents or enzymes prior to hybridization.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the method is used to detect a nucleic acid comprising a target sequence, wherein said nucleic acid has been synthesized or amplified in a reaction.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the nucleic acid synthesis or nucleic acid amplification reactions are selected from the group consisting of: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Ligase Chain Reaction (LCR), Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA), Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA), Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) and Q beta replicase.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises adding at least one blocking probe to reduce or eliminate any hybridization of the PNA probe to non-target sequence.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the target sequence is immobilized to a surface.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein said PNA probe is immobilized to a surface.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said PNA probe is one component of an array.
12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the sample is a biological sample.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the biological sample is blood, urine, secretion, sweat, sputum, stool, mucous, or cultures thereof.