Has anyone come across a database containing a list of key genes that can be used to identify a pathogen via PCR? ie Im not after the whole genome, just the ability to search a pathogen and easily find 2-4 genes that can be used to confirm the pathogens identity in a sample.
Multiplexing kits exist for a range of pathogens but I plan to look at several hundred pathogens over the course of time.
Kind regards,
Yours seems to be a a rather challenging task, first because "pathogen" is a rather difficult concept to define, since it depends on parameters such as the immunological status of the patient or the mode of contact (skin, wound, intestine, lung etc). Likewise, identifying a gene as involved in virulence is also not trivial, since any gene whose mutation or deletion makes a pathogen more sickly, thus making it less likely to resist elimination by the immune system, can be identified as "virulence" gene.
Kindly, I recommend you to read this reference and You might find what you search about.
(Methods in Molecular Biology, PCR Detection of Microbial Pathogens)
Edited by
Konrad Sachse, DR. RER. NAT.
Joachim Frey, PhD
Regards
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