This document describes the development of a high-throughput universal digital high-resolution melt (U-dHRM) platform for rapid bacterial identification. The platform aims to address limitations of current diagnostic methods by enabling broad-based, sensitive, rapid and polymicrobial detection of bacteria from small sample volumes. Key aspects of the platform include universal 16S amplification from bacterial DNA, partitioning of the reaction into individual wells of a digital PCR chip for sensitive detection, and high-resolution melt analysis of the amplified products to identify bacterial strains. Current work is focused on transitioning to digital droplet PCR and developing a portable system to enable clinical applications of this rapid bacterial identification approach.