Microbial Identification Systems (MIDI)

Fatty acid methyl ester analysis by gas chromatography (GC-FAME) has been used for over 50 years to identify microbes in environmental and clinical settings. FAME identification is a dynamic test of the organism. It is specific to growth conditions, including the media and temperature used. Different libraries are available for different growth conditions and custom libraries can be created based on the customer's unique environment. In addition to identification, FAME analysis is often sensitive enough to give strain level information for a sample.

The Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS) was launched in 1985 and represents a rapid, accurate and comprehensive solution for the identification of over 1,500 microbial species by FAME analysis. The Sherlock MIS is recognized by the U.S. CDC for the identification of aerobic bacteria and is AOAC INTERNATIONAL cleared for the identification of Bacillus anthracis, the anthrax pathogen. The Sherlock MIS was created by microbiologists for microbiologists, so no GC experience is necessary.