Clinical and environmental laboratories worldwide have used the Sherlockฎ Microbial Identification System (MIS) since 1991. The SherlockMIS identifies bacteria and yeast by analyzing the unique

cellular fatty acid patterns present in the cell membrane. The fatty acids are extracted from the microbe, converted to their corresponding Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) and then separated with an Agilent Technologies Gas Chromatograph (GC).

The Sherlock software then names each fatty acid in the sample and uses pattern recognition algorithms to compare the overall pattern to libraries of stored patterns to make an identification. Additional software tools allow for clustering, strain tracking, custom library generation, 21CFR Part 11 compliance and combination of results with DNA sequencing analyses. In addition, Sherlock can be used for direct fatty acid analysis of oils and biofuel feedstocks. 

Sherlock Instant Methods are new sample preparation kits for the Sherlockฎ Microbial Identification System. There are two kits available: Instant FAMETM for aerobic bacteria and yeast and Instant AnaerobeTM for anaerobic bacteria.