Abstract: A method for quality control of species used in analytical or diagnostic or therapeutic procedures includes immobilization of a model of the malignancy to a solid support (121), contacting the solid support with species dissolved in liquid (122), measuring both the rate of formation of complex and absolute magnitude of number of complexes of model and species (123) and determining the quality of species by comparing the measured values with predetermined values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prompt and easy asbestos detection method and a method for screening a candidate for an agent aiming at preventing or treating a disease for which asbestos is a causative or worsening factor. It is possible to quickly and easily detect asbestos in a sample by finding a protein capable of binding specifically to asbestos, allowing the protein or a fusion protein of the protein and a reporter protein to bind to asbestos in the sample, and then detecting the protein or the fusion protein having been bound to asbestos. A substance inhibiting the binding of actin to asbestos, which has been found out as a protein capable of binding specifically to asbestos, is a candidate for an agent aiming at preventing or treating a disease for which asbestos is a causative or worsening factor.

Abstract: A method for processing multi-phasic dispersions is provided. The method comprises providing a multi-phasic dispersion including dispersed and continuous phases, providing one or more non-solvents comprising an aqueous solution containing at least one multivalent cation, exposing the multi-phasic dispersion to the non-solvent to form a suspension containing one or more liquid phases and the solid microparticles, and removing at least a portion of the resulting one or more liquid phases while retaining at least the microparticles, thereby removing at least a portion of the non-volatile material from the microparticles.

Abstract: A novel method for determining the levels of TGF-?1 or TGF-?2 in a sample of milk, raw protein source, or nutritional composition is provided. The method involves, in some cases, reconstituting the sample; in some cases, centrifuging the sample; activating the sample using particular ratios of sample:acid:base; diluting the sample using particular ratios of sample:buffer agent; and determining the concentration of TGF-?1 in the sample using an ELISA assay.

Abstract: A homogeneous immunoassay method and system for quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin E and specific antibody levels to a plurality of allergens, in which a relatively small sampling of blood is required. The method utilizes relatively small microparticles in aqueous suspension. The immunoassay procedure is an immunometric sandwich procedure preferably utilizing biotin-streptavidin signal amplification techniques and R-phycoerytherin fluorescent labels.

Abstract: Provided is an immunoassay method that can reduce the effort of establishing an immunoassay system due to not needing two or more antibodies, and that is applicable to not only high molecular weight antigens but also to low molecular weight antigens such as hapten. The method is for releasing, from a surface of a base plate, immunoglobulin G antibody bound to the surface via protein A. The method includes the following steps (A) and (B): (A) a step of preparing the base plate having the surface to which immunoglobulin G antibody produced by a producer cell line of deposit No. FERM BP-10459 is bound via protein A; and (B) a step of providing a solution (from pH 6 to pH 8.9; preferably, from pH 7.4 to pH 8.9) containing human serum albumin onto the surface so as to release the immunoglobulin G antibody from the protein A.

Abstract: The invention features methods and devices for the detection of biomarker complexes and their components and for the sequential detection of multiple epitopes of a biomarker. The invention also features methods for diagnosing disease and evaluating the efficacy of treatment of a subject with a disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to lipid bilayer coated beads and methods of using those beads in immunoassays, in analytical assay and the like.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for detecting a false result in an assay measurement for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method comprises measuring assay signal resulting from background only and measuring assay signal resulting from the presence of analyte in the sample plus background and subtracting the first measurement from the second measurement to determine the concentration of analyte in the sample. For example, a measurement result 1 is determined by means of an assay conducted on a portion of the sample where analyte in the sample is substantially sequestered and a measurement result 2 is determined by means of the assay conducted on an equal portion of the same sample where analyte in the sample is substantially non-sequestered. Measurement result 1 is subtracted from measurement result 2 to determine the concentration of analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Methods that permit the rapid release of one or more analytes from head or body hair or other keratinized structures of an individual (who may previously have ingested one or more of the analytes) are provided. The methods can include contacting the keratinized structure with a reducing agent but not with a proteolytic agent. The methods can further include identification and quantification of the one or more analytes by known analytical techniques such as immunoassays. The described methods do not damage the analyte and do not cause harmful effects on a subsequently-used analyte detection probe (e.g., an antibody).

Abstract: Methods and kits for performing a two-phase optical assay for one or more than one analyte without intrinsic optical contrast in a sample are disclosed. The method requires use of a functionalized microparticle immobilized with two or more than functional components and an additional set of one or more than one functional component. The assay can be performed in one single container and does not need a wash step.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for detecting a hepcidin precursor in a sample from a patient and involves contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to one or more epitopes of a hepcidin precursor amino acid sequence located within amino acids 20-50 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: In one aspect, this disclosure provides a substrate for determining the concentration of an analyte within a sample. The substrate includes a conductive region and a recognition layer, the conductive region including at least one particle and having a first surface operatively coupled with the recognition layer, the recognition layer comprising at least one recognition molecule. The distance between the first surface of the conductive region and the recognition molecule is selected such that when the analyte is bound to the recognition layer the combination of the at least one particle and the analyte exhibits at least one of the following effects when radiation is directed through the conductive region and the recognition layer: (i) a particle plasmon effect, (ii) a particle bulk interband absorption, (iii) analyte molecular absorption, and (iv) absorption by the analyte-particle combination.

Abstract: A non-radioisotopic method measures Free T3 and/or Free T4 in a sample of a non-human species, which can be a canine.

Abstract: A method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising (a) contacting the sample with at least one set of at least first, second and third proximity probes, which probes each include an analyte-binding domain and a nucleic acid domain and can simultaneously bind to the analyte, the nucleic acid domain of the third proximity probe being a splint which is capable of hybridizing at least to the nucleic acid domains of the first and second proximity probes, wherein when all of the at least three proximity probes bind to the analyte, the nucleic acid domains of the first and second proximity probes are conjugatable by means of an interaction mediated by the hybridized splint of the third proximity probe; (b) conjugating the nucleic acids, of the first and second proximity probes; and (c) detecting the conjugation. Also provided is a kit for use in such a method.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of detecting hepcidin, prohepcidin or fragments thereof, by contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to one or more epitopes contained within amino acids 28-47 of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: There is a demand for improved turbidimetric immunoassays for human Cystatin C in biological samples, especially in human clinical samples of body fluids. The present invention provides a turbidimetric immunoassay method and reagent set enabling measurement of human Cystatin C by turbidimetric methods, resulting in a surprisingly stronger and faster turbidimetric signal than in the present state of the art. The increased and faster signal is accomplished by the use of new reagents and compositions, and enables shorter assay times and kinetic reading with a stronger signal, improving overall assay speed and quality. Improved robustness to lipid interference and improved linearity is achieved.

Abstract: A method of determining the total concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, wherein at least part of the analyte is present as a complex with an analyte-binding species. The methods includes the steps of: a) subjecting the sample to conditions that reduce the binding affinity between analyte and analyte-binding species sufficiently to dissociate substantially any analyte complex and provide substantially all analyte in free form, b) subjecting the sample to conditions that restore the binding affinity between analyte and analyte-binding species, and c) immediately after the binding affinity has been restored, and before any substantial re-complexing of the analyte has taken place, determining the concentration of free analyte in the sample. A method of determining the concentration of complex-bound analyte in a sample is also disclosed.

Abstract: Generally, conjugate systems, self-illuminating quantum dot conjugates, methods of detecting a target in a host, methods of treating a disease in a host, and the like, are described herein.

Abstract: A novel protein profiling method of testing for Lysosomal Storage Diseases (“LSD”) using discovered normalized lysosomal fingerprint patterns. The fingerprint patterns reveal the health of lysosomal organelles, specific LSD, and clinical severity Multiplexing bead technology for simultaneous screening of multiple LSD and normalizing measured enzyme activity or protein levels against other lysosomal proteins, enzymes, or enzyme activities. Compounds, reagents, and methods for identifying and quantifying multiple target enzymes and proteins.