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: Methods and compositions for detecting molecular interactions, particularly protein-protein interactions, using at least two inactive, weakly-complementing ?-lactamase fragments are provided. The invention allows detection of such interactions in eukaryotic and mammalian cells, in situ or in vitro. Detection of molecular interactions in mammalian cells is not limited to the nuclear compartment, but can be accomplished in the cytoplasm, cell surface, organelles, or between these entities. Methods provided utilize novel compositions comprising fusion proteins between molecules of interest and inactive, weakly-complementing ?-lactamase fragments. Association of the molecules of interest brings the corresponding complementary ?-lactamase fragments into close enough proximity for complementation to occur and ?-lactamase activity to be observed. The invention is useful in the study of protein-protein interactions, functional genomics, agonist and antagonist screening and drug discovery.

Abstract: A method of measuring the rate of binding of a binding substance and an analyte, for example in an assay such as an immunoassay, uses an initial step of performing ultrasonication sufficient to disrupt binding between the binding substance and the analyte. After cessation of the ultrasonication, measurements are taken to determine the rate of binding at cessation of said ultrasonication or at a predetermined time thereafter. The ultrasonication results in knowledge of the precise time of the start of the binding reaction which provides a better rate measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) on apolipoprotein B-100 in patients at high risk or with documented coronary artery disease (CAD) or acute coronary syndromes (ACS) such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction or suspected of being at risk for ACS. Such methods are useful for diagnostic purposes and for monitoring the effects of dietary interventions or with drugs such as statins. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for determining OxPL/apoB ratios as indices of atherosclerosis regression and plaque stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vitro method for detecting the formation of endothelins during serious illnesses, especially cardiovascular diseases, inflammations, sepsis and cancer, in whole blood, plasma or serum of a human patient for medical diagnosis. Using this method, relatively long-lasting peptide fragments, especially a C-terminal peptide fragment, of the processed primary prepro- or proendothelins that contain neither the actual biologically active endothelin nor its direct precursor, big endothelin, can be detected.

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: The invention provides a method of depleting anti-MHC antibodies in a sample comprising contacting said sample with one or more recombinant MHC molecules or functionally equivalent variants, derivatives or fragments thereof and removing at least the recombinant MHC molecules to which antibodies to said recombinant MHC molecules contained within the sample have bound. This method allows the depletion of one or more specific MHC particularly HLA allele antibodies from a 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: Described herein are methods for identifying a subject at risk of progression of heart failure. In some embodiments, the level of galectin-3 in a biological sample from a human subject may be measured and compared to a standard level indicative of risk of progression of heart failure, wherein an elevated level of galectin-3 in the sample indicates a risk of progression of heart failure.

Abstract: A method of detecting ?-defensin in a bodily sample from a subject includes reducing the electrostatic interaction between ?-defensin and negatively charged moieties in the bodily sample prior to detecting the ?-defensin with an antibody or epitope binding fragment thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by assaying for Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha expression in rheumatoid, myofibroblast like synoviocytes. Therapeutic aspects are also a part of the invention.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of an analyte is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies is described. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

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: 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: The present invention relates to methods of detecting renal transplant rejection and other forms of renal damage. Protein markers or renal damage are provided, along with assays for detecting said markers. Also provided are methods for identifying markers of renal damage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns antibodies specific for the C-terminus of human hepcidin, and related methods and kits for diagnosing and/or treating a disease condition characterized by non-physiological levels of hepcidin protein, including prohepcidin and fragments thereof, comprising obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from a subject; contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence between and including amino acids 60 and 84, or, in another embodiment, amino acids 74 and 81, as aligned with the human pre-pro-hepcidin precursor protein, and quantifying the pro-hepcidin and/or mature hepcidin level using an assay based on binding of the antibody and the polypeptide; wherein the non-physiological level of prohepcidin/mature hepcidin is indicative of the disease condition.

Abstract: A non-radioisotopic method of detecting thyroid analytes comprising detecting T3, Free T3, T4, Free T4 and thyroglobulin autoantibody in a sample of a non-human species. Each one of these analytes in an assay profile includes non-radio isotopic measurement of T3, Free T3, T4, Free T4 and thyroglobulin autoantibody in the sample from the non-human species. A non-radioisotopic method detects T3AA and T4AA thyroid autoantibodies in a sample from a non-human species such as the canine species. Antibodies and autoantibodies are bound, and a precipitated or bound antigen-antigen or antibody-autoantibody complex is formed. The supernatant or surrounding fluid of the bound or precipitated antigen-antigen or antibody-autoantibody complex is then removed. The thyroid activity of the bound complex, precipitate, supernatant or surrounding fluid is measured. The thyroid analyte is at least one of T3, Free T3, T4 or Free T4.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and kits for diagnosing a disease condition characterized by non-physiological levels of hepcidin protein, including prohepcidin and fragments thereof, comprising obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from a subject; contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence between and including amino acids 25 and 49 of a hepcidin precursor protein, and quantifying the hepcidin precursor level using an assay based on binding of the antibody and the polypeptide; wherein the non-physiological level of prohepcidin is indicative of the disease condition. The present invention also concerns diagnostic methods and kits for applications in genetic technological approaches, such as for overexpressing or downregulating hepcidin.

Abstract: A method for detecting lysosomal storage diseases including the steps of performing an assay for a single species of glycosaminoglycan contained in a specimen and correlating results of the assay with lysosomal storage diseases. A body fluid such as urine or blood can be employed as a specimen. The assay can be performed by use of a polypeptide that is capable of specifically binding to a glycosaminoglycan-containing molecule. The polypeptide may be an antibody, or a polypeptide having an antigen-binding site of an antibody.