The present invention is directed to a microbial Cytometric Mock Community for use in flow cytometric analysis, the microbial Cytometric Mock Community comprising or consisting of cells of at least three different microbial species in a pre-defined ratio, wherein the at least three different microbial species are selected such that, when measured using flow cytometry, the specific gate pattern of each microbial species differs significantly from the specific gate pattern of the other microbial species of the microbial Cytometric Mock Community, preferably the at least three different microbial species differ in relative DNA content, relative genomic GC-content, relative cell size, Gram +/− affiliation and/or capacity to form spores. The microbial Cytometric Mock Community shall serve as standardization means that will help ecologists, microbiologists, molecular biologists and flow cytometrists to work on a standardized basis to allow comparison and exchange of data.

An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof binds to F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide (Ft LPS). The antibody preferably lacks an Fc region or has an impaired Fc-region. The antibody may be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. It may be provided in a kit with means for detection of the antibody and instructions for use. A therapeutically effective amount of such an antibody can be used for prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of Ft infection and for inhibiting Ft uptake by cells in a subject. The antibody can also be used to detect Ft infection. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the antibody, an expression vector having the isolated nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell transfected with such an expression vector.

An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof binds to F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide (Ft LPS). The antibody preferably lacks an Fc region or has an impaired Fc-region. The antibody may be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. It may be provided in a kit with means for detection of the antibody and instructions for use. A therapeutically effective amount of such an antibody can be used for prophylaxis, treatment or amelioration of Ft infection and for inhibiting Ft uptake by cells in a subject. The antibody can also be used to detect Ft infection. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the antibody, an expression vector having the isolated nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell transfected with such an expression vector.

A method of identifying one or more bacteria from a sample, where the one or more bacteria is suspected to be present in the sample. An aqueous suspension including a bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex is provided, where the bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex includes (i) a SERS nanoparticle and (ii) the one or more bacteria suspected to be present in the sample. Furthermore, the aqueous suspension is deposited on a substrate having structures coated with a SERS-active material to dispose the bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex on the substrate. Additionally, the bacteria-SERS nanoparticle complex disposed on the substrate is irradiated to generate one or more SERS signals. Furthermore, a SERS-spectroscopic module is operable to render one or more SERS spectral data corresponding to the one or more SERS signals. Additionally, a process module is operable to identify the presence or absence of the one or more bacteria from the one or more SERS spectral data.