Abstract: The invention relates to a method for labeling and fragmenting a single- or double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) comprising the following steps:

Abstract: Device for filling, with a liquid medium (1), an analysis card (2) comprising a body (3) in which at least one reading cavity (3a) is formed, and an orifice (4) communicating with the cavity via at least one internal channel (7), with an external conduit (9) communicating with the orifice, this device comprising an evacuation device (50). It comprises: a connecting device (11) including on one side a joining piece (12) for leaktight and removable coupling to the free end (9a) of the open external conduit, and communicating directly on the other side with the evacuation device (50); a device (34) for closing and re-opening the external conduit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a structural peptide, identified by antibodies directed against a polypeptide, comprising the 2-45 amino acid sequence of the N-terminal end of the Core or nucleocapsid (p21) protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), excluding any protein or peptide compound comprising or consisting of the N-terminal end. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a tertiary structure consisting of at least a first peptide fragment having a secondary structure in &agr; helix, a second peptide fragment having secondary structure in &agr; helix and a third peptide bond fragment linking the two &agr; helices, these two &agr; helices being substantially perpendicular to each other in space. This peptide can be used for detecting antibodies directed against the p21 protein of HCV, for detecting all of part of the RNA of HCV and for preparing a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic composition for detecting, preventing or treating an HCV infection.

Abstract: The invention provides viral material and nucleotide fragments associated with multiple sclerosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis for use in methods of diagnosis, prophylaxis, and therapy.

Abstract: Viral material, in the isolated or purified state, in which the genome comprises a nucleotide sequence chosen from the group including sequences SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53 and SEQ ID NO:56, their complementary sequences and their equivalent sequences, in particular nucleotide sequences displaying, for any succession of 100 contiguous monomers, at least 50% and preferably at least 70% homology with the said sequences SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53 and SEQ ID NO:56, respectively, and their complementary sequences.

Abstract: The invention concerns a structural peptide, identified by antibodies directed against a polypeptide, comprising the 2-45 amino acid sequence of the N-terminal end of the Core or nucleocapsid (p21) protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), excluding any protein or peptide compound comprising or consisting of the N-terminal end. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a tertiary structure consisting of at least a first peptide fragment having a secondary structure in &agr; helix, a second peptide fragment having secondary structure in &agr; helix and a third peptide bond fragment linking the two &agr; helices, these two &agr; helices being substantially perpendicular to each other in space. This peptide can be used for detecting antibodies directed against the p21 protein of HCV, for detecting all of part of the RNA of HCV and for preparing a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic composition for detecting, preventing or treating an HCV infection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polypeptide specifically reacting with the antibodies of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (SEP) and whereof the peptide sequence comprises at least one sequence selected among SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID NO: 19, and their equivalent sequences, and the use of this polypeptide in a reagent and a kit for detecting multiple sclerosis, an immunoreactive composition and in a method for fixing, in a biological sample, antibodies characteristic and/or specific of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The complex consists of LVPs associated with human immunoglobulins having a density of less than 1.063 g/ml. It may be obtained by a method according to which a plasma or serum sample taken from a patient infected with HCV is made available, the LVPs are separated from the said sample by centrifugation according to their density, and the LVPs associated with human immunoglobulins are separated using protein A, anti-human immunoglobulins or any other molecule capable of binding human immunoglobulins.

Abstract: A target nucleic acid sequence amplification method wherein at least the target nucleic acid sequence, at least one oligonucleotide primer specific for the target sequence, one or more enzymatic activities and nucleotides are provided, and the target sequence is amplified under conditions suitable in particular for said enzymatic or activity or activities, is disclosed. According to the method, at least one of the nucleotides is a prefunctionalized nucleotide that differs from the other nucleotides at least in that it includes at least one unprotected reactive covalence function in at least one predetermined site of the base of said nucleotide, in order to give a prefunctionalized amplificati product including at least one such prefunctionalized nucleotide. Nucleotides for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns magnetic and heat-sensitive particles having a predetermined size between 0.05 and 10 &mgr;m, each particle comprising: an inner composite core consisting of a solid organic or inorganic particle, containing within it a magnetic filler; an outer coati based on a polymer capable of interacting with at least a biological molecule, the outer polymer is heat-sensitive and has a predetermined low critical solubility temperature (LCST) ranging between 10 and 100° C. and preferably between 20 and 60° C. The invention also concerns methods for obtaining said particles and their uses. The particles are characterized in that there is an intermediate layer between the inner core and the outer layer isolating said inner core magnetic filler with respect to said functionalized outer layer. Said invention is particularly useful for separating proteins and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for labeling a synthetic or natural ribonucleic acid (RNA). It also relates to RNA fragments, which have been labeled by fragmenting the RNA to free a terminal phosphate of each fragment for further reaction, and labeling each fragment at the freed terminal phosphate which is located at the 3′ end and/or the 5′ end of each fragment of the RNA, and to the use of such RNA fragments, for example, in the field of medical diagnosis.

Abstract: A process is provided for labeling with signal amplification a ribonucleic acid (RNA), comprising fragmenting the RNA to form RNA fragments, fixing a first ligand to a terminal phosphate located at least one of the 3′ end and the 5′ end of each of a plurality of the RNA fragments, the terminal phosphate having been released during the fragmentation, and binding a plurality of labeling agents to the first ligand on each of a plurality of the fragments.

Abstract: A cassette that functions in yeast cells allowing and controlling expression of HBc Ag, HBc Ag fragments and/or recombinant HBc Ag; a reagent for detection and/or monitoring of HBV infections that relies on a product of the cassette; processes for producing monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies to the product of the cassette; and processes for (1) diagnosis, (2) vaccine production, (3) vaccination, (4) pharmaceutical production and (5) treatment that rely on the product of the cassette and/or the monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies to the product of the cassette.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analysis card as well as a method for filing such a card and the use of said card. Said card comprises a body consisting of: a zone for injecting into the card a biological fluid to be analyzed; a main duct supplying the biological fluid coming from the injection zone; at least two secondary ducts located in the extension of the main duct; and at least one well corresponding to each secondary duct. The invention is characterized in that each well constitutes a means for dispensing a specific volume of said biological fluid into at least two terminal analysis ducts, via a terminal duct for each analysis cavity and the volume to be analyzed is less than the total volume of all the analysis ducts. Although this concerns a particular embodiment wherein a biological fluid is transferred in parallel, in another embodiment the transfer may be carried out in series. The invention is particularly applicable in microbiology.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of Tc100, a gene encoding a new antigenic protein from Trypanosoma cruzi called PTc100, is disclosed. The amino acid sequence of the PTc100 protein is also disclosed, along with the amino acid sequence of the dominant antigenic epitope of the PTc100 protein. The PTc100 protein and Tc100 gene, or a fragment thereof, modified or otherwise, can be used directly or indirectly for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi, or for the monitoring of an infection generated by T. cruzi in man or animals.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for suspending solid particles in a predetermined volume of liquid contained inside a container having a wall, the wall being partly isolated from the liquid by a deposit adhering to its internal face, and bringing together at least some of the particles in the agglomerated state, the container is subjected to a reciprocating movement along a reference axis, at a frequency adapted to cause within the predetermined volume of liquid, without any other external action, an ebb and flow on either side of the reference axis, detaching the deposit, and dispersing the particles toward the center of the volume of liquid.

Abstract: The complex consists of LVPs associated with human immunoglobulins having a density of less than 1.063 g/ml.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for labeling a synthetic or natural ribonucleic acid (RNA). It also relates to RNA fragments, which have been labeled by fragmenting the RNA to free a terminal phosphate of each fragment for further reaction, and labeling each fragment at the freed terminal phosphate which is located at the 3′ end and/or the 5′ end of each fragment of the RNA, and to the use of such RNA fragments, for example, in the field of medical diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide capable of reacting specifically with an anti-Toxoplasma gondii P30 protein antibody, and comprising a peptide sequence, in which any succession of 6 contiguous amino acids exhibits at most 67 % homology with the peptide sequence of said P30 protein, identified by SEQ ID No.1, or comprising a sequence derived from said peptide sequence, and the applications of this polypeptide especially for detecting a Toxoplasma gondii infection, in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for at least one of detecting, quantifying or isolating at least one analyte from a liquid medium in which the analyte is distributed and comprises providing a reagent comprised of particles having a receptor for an analyte fixed to the particles distributed in the medium and a capturing means having an exposed surface defining an active zone. An intermediate reagent is formed by the complex of the reagent with the analyte. A second receptor is fixed in the active zone to capture either the analyte bound by the reagent or the receptor (capture partners). The active zone serves as a site of isolation and concentration of the capture partners.