Approach for amplification of molecular signals

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Antibody-based detection systems have been used for years in clinical diagnostics and environmental monitoring for the detection and identification of pathogenic agents. Recent advances in the field of low-level antigen detection utilize the DNA polymerase-mediated signal amplification approach that provides a substantial enhancement in detection sensitivity over the conventional ELISA. However, protocols utilizing this approach have not been widely used in diagnostic laboratories because they require rigorous sample preparation, complex reactive components of limited shelf life, expensive hardware and involve a complex detection process. The goal of the current application is to develop an alternative approach for the signal amplification. Bacterial luciferase will be incorporated in the naturally existing cascades of enzymatic reactions to produce an inexpensive and simple assay for the detection of antigens of interest including those of biowarfare agents.