BACKGROUND

A disease is any disorder of a structure or function of an organism. Diseases may be caused by external factors such as pathogenic microorganisms that include viruses, bacterium, prion, and fungi.

One example of a known disease is Huanglongbing (HLB) that affects citrus trees and is caused by the phloem-limited bacteriumCandidatus Liberibacter asiaticus(Las). HLB has reduced the production of citrus fruits in Florida to record low levels. Among the largest citrus producing states of Florida and California, most of Florida citrus groves are infected by HLB and California has started reporting sporadic incidence of HLB.

Another example of pathogenic microorganisms include theMycobacteriumgenus of bacteria, such asMycobacterium tuberculosisthat is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) in humans and animals. Other species ofMycobacteriumincludeMycobacterium bovis, Mycobacteriumparatuberculosis and other non-tubercle formingMycobacteriumspp.

SUMMARY

In a first set of embodiments, a method is provided for determining a presence of a microorganism in a sample. The method includes storing electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures of a plurality of microorganisms in a memory of a processor. The method also includes obtaining a sample and generating an electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample with a plurality of electrodes. The method also includes comparing the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample with the electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures in the memory. The method also includes identifying a presence of one of the plurality of microorganisms in the sample based on a correlation between the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample and the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the one of the plurality of microorganisms.

In a second set of embodiments, a method is provided for determining a presence of a microorganism in a sample. The method includes exposing the sample to a plurality of electrodes and generating an electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample. The method further includes comparing the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample with a database of electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures corresponding to a plurality of microorganisms. The method further includes identifying a presence of one of the plurality of the microorganisms in the sample.

In a third set of embodiments, a method is provided for determining a growth stage of a microorganism in a sample. The method includes storing electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures of a plurality of growth stages of the microorganism in a memory of a processor. The method also includes obtaining a sample and generating an electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample with a plurality of electrodes. The method also includes comparing the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample with the electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures in the memory. The method also includes identifying a presence of one of the plurality of growth stages of the microorganism in the sample based on a correlation between the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample and the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the one of the plurality of growth stages.

In a fourth set of embodiments, a method is provided for determining a presence of a growth stage of a microorganism in a sample. The method includes exposing the sample to a plurality of electrodes and generating an electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample. The method further includes comparing the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample with a database of electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures corresponding to a plurality of growth stages of the microorganism. The method further includes identifying a presence of one of the plurality of the growth stages of the microorganism in the sample.

In a fifth set of embodiments, an apparatus is provided for determining a presence of a microorganism in a sample. The apparatus includes a microelectrode array (MEA) and/or an interdigitated electrode (IDE) configured to generate a signal based on the sample being exposed to the MEA and/or the IDE. The apparatus further includes a processor and a memory including one or more sequences of instructions. The memory and the sequences of instructions are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform one or more steps of any of the method embodiments previously discussed.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments are also capable of other and different features and advantages, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

