Previously reported DNA aptamers developed against surface proteins extracted from Campylobacter jejuni were further characterized by aptamer-based Western blotting and shown to bind epitopes on proteins weighing ~16 and 60 kD from reduced C. jejuni and Campylobacter coli lysates. Proteins of these approximate weights have also been identified in traditional antibody-based Western blots of Campylobacter spp. Specificity of the capture and reporter aptamers from the previous report was further validated by aptamer-based ELISA-like (ELASA) colorimetric microplate assay. Finally, the limit of detection of the previously reported plastic-adherent aptamer-magnetic bead and aptamer-quantum dot sandwich assay (PASA) was validated by an independent food safety testing laboratory to lie between 5 and 10 C. jejuni cells per milliliter in phosphate buffered saline and repeatedly frozen and thawed chicken rinsate. Such ultrasensitive and rapid (30 min) aptamer-based assays could provide alternative or additional screening tools to enhance food safety testing for Campylobacter and other foodborne pathogens.

• Keywords
• External Magnet, Foodborne Pathogen, Sandwich Assay, Small Detection Area, Sterile Buffer,
• MeSH
• Aptamers, Nucleotide genetics   MeSH
• Biological Assay instrumentation   methods   MeSH
• Campylobacter genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Food Contamination analysis   MeSH
• Chickens MeSH
• Quantum Dots chemistry   MeSH
• Magnetics methods   MeSH
• Meat microbiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Validation Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Aptamers, Nucleotide MeSH