Chemotaxonomic Differentiation of Bacteria Using Sugar/Nucleotide Markers Identified by ESI MS-MS
Abstract
Our bio-detection research is primarily concerned with two inter-related issues 1) development of novel schemes for improving chemotaxonomic characterization of microbial pathogens and 2) mass spectrometry-based methods for trace detection of chemical markers for key agents in complex environmental matrices. Development of chemotaxonomic schemes for correct identification of species of bacteria relevant to the bio-detection program is essential. The research employed a systematic search for new chemical markers employing state-of-the-art chemical and molecular approaches. A scheme for characterization of brucella (following our earlier work with bacilli) was developed. The feasibility of detecting markers for bacteria in environmental samples was demonstrated by developed. The feasibility of detecting markers for bacteria in environmental samples was demonstrated by developing a working method for detection of muramic acid (universally found in bacteria) in airborne dust. A prototype approach for the rapid (< 10 minutes) detection/identification of microorganisms (B. anshracts) based upon the combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrospray mass spectrometry is also described. Extrapolation of this approach to environmental monitoring would represent a major improvement over existing technologies for bio-detection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 17, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA412927
Entities
People
- Alvin Fox
Organizations
- University of South Carolina