Liong, MontyHoang, Anh N.Chung, JaehoonGural, NilFord, Christopher B.Min, ChangwookShah, Rupal R.Ahmad, RushdyFernandez-Suarez, MartaFortune, Sarah M.Toner, MehmetLee, HakhoWeissleder, Ralph2019-09-212013Liong, Monty, Anh N. Hoang, Jaehoon Chung, Nil Gural, Christopher B. Ford, Changwook Min, Rupal R. Shah, et al. 2013. “Magnetic Barcode Assay for Genetic Detection of Pathogens.” Nature Communications 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2745.2041-1723http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41384195The task of rapidly identifying patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in resource-constrained environments remains a challenge. A sensitive and robust platform that does not require bacterial isolation or culture is critical in making informed diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Here we introduce a platform for the detection of nucleic acids based on a magnetic barcoding strategy. PCR-amplified mycobacterial genes are sequence-specifically captured on microspheres, labelled by magnetic nanoprobes and detected by nuclear magnetic resonance. All components are integrated into a single, small fluidic cartridge for streamlined on-chip operation. We use this platform to detect M. tuberculosis and identify drug-resistance strains from mechanically processed sputum samples within 2.5 h. The specificity of the assay is confirmed by detecting a panel of clinically relevant non-M. tuberculosis bacteria, and the clinical utility is demonstrated by the measurements in M. tuberculosis-positive patient specimens. Combined with portable systems, the magnetic barcode assay holds promise to become a sensitive, high-throughput and low-cost platform for point-of-care diagnostics.en-USJournal Article2019-09-2110.1038/ncomms2745