A method for the detection of a first type of microorganism in a sample comprising: a) contacting said sample with a system comprising: i) a chamber comprising a first electrode and a second electrode on opposing walls of the chamber, wherein the electrodes are configured to cause said first type of microorganism to migrate toward said first electrode when a potential is applied between the electrodes; ii) a first detection surface disposed on said first electrode, said surface comprising a plurality of first affinity components that bind to said first type of microorganism; iii) an input port configured to transport said sample into the chamber between the electrodes; iv) an output port configured to transport said sample out of said chamber; v) an electrical controller operably linked to the first and second electrodes, said controller configured to control the potential between the first and second electrodes; vi) an automated detector configured to detect the quantity of said first type of microorganism bound to the first affinity components; vii) an information controller that stores the quantity of the first type of microorganism as determined by the automated detector; b) capturing said first type of microorganism onto said detection surface, wherein a plurality of said first type of microorganism bind to said detection surface; c) allowing said plurality of said first type of microorganism to grow; and d) detecting a quantity of growing microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said first type of microorganism in the sample. a) contacting said sample with a system comprising: i) a chamber comprising a first electrode and a second electrode on opposing walls of the chamber, wherein the electrodes are configured to cause said first type of microorganism to migrate toward said first electrode when a potential is applied between the electrodes; ii) a first detection surface disposed on said first electrode, said surface comprising a plurality of first affinity components that bind to said first type of microorganism; iii) an input port configured to transport said sample into the chamber between the electrodes; iv) an output port configured to transport said sample out of said chamber; v) an electrical controller operably linked to the first and second electrodes, said controller configured to control the potential between the first and second electrodes; vi) an automated detector configured to detect the quantity of said first type of microorganism bound to the first affinity components; vii) an information controller that stores the quantity of the first type of microorganism as determined by the automated detector; i) a chamber comprising a first electrode and a second electrode on opposing walls of the chamber, wherein the electrodes are configured to cause said first type of microorganism to migrate toward said first electrode when a potential is applied between the electrodes; ii) a first detection surface disposed on said first electrode, said surface comprising a plurality of first affinity components that bind to said first type of microorganism; iii) an input port configured to transport said sample into the chamber between the electrodes; iv) an output port configured to transport said sample out of said chamber; v) an electrical controller operably linked to the first and second electrodes, said controller configured to control the potential between the first and second electrodes; vi) an automated detector configured to detect the quantity of said first type of microorganism bound to the first affinity components; vii) an information controller that stores the quantity of the first type of microorganism as determined by the automated detector; b) capturing said first type of microorganism onto said detection surface, wherein a plurality of said first type of microorganism bind to said detection surface; c) allowing said plurality of said first type of microorganism to grow; and d) detecting a quantity of growing microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said first type of microorganism in the sample.