Abstract: A method for aqueous phase nucleic acid isolation from a sample, comprising a step of nucleic acid adsorption on a particulate substrate, is disclosed. The method comprises an adsorption reagent preparation step (a) that includes a sol consisting of a aqueous continuous phase and a dispersed particulate substrate phase including a functionalized particulate polymer prepared by polymerizing (1) a first water-soluble acrylamide or acrylamide derivative monomer, (2) at least one cross-linking agent and (3) at least one second water-soluble, cationic and functional monomer, said polymer having a predetermined lower critical solubility temperature (LCST) of 25-45° C.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of a nucleotide sequence of interest comprising at least one nucleotide probe marked with a tracer. The methods include a reagent essentially comprising a linear backbone copolymer having lateral substituents, whose chain consists of a first type of repetitive unit and at least one other type of repetitive unit, in which at least one part of the units of the first type have a lateral substituent comprising a nucleotide unit, such a lateral substituent not being present on the other types of units. Each of said nucleotide units, all of which are identical, comprise at least one nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with said sequence of interest and nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with a probe, the reagent containing on average more than two of said nucleotide units, in molar equivalents, per mole of polymer. Such a reagent enables signal amplification to be obtained, and therefor lowers the sensitivity threshold.

Abstract: Method of assaying hapten in a sample, in which said sample is placed in contact with antibodies capable of recognizing hapten and with a predetermined quantity of a reagent capable of competing with said hapten-fixing antibodies. The reagent is a conjugate formed by a single-stranded fragment of nucleic acid with a compound capable of being recognized by said hapten-recognizing antibodies. The fixed or unfixed reactant is detected by antibodies capable of recognizing the nucleic acid fragment of said conjugate. Detection of said reactant by anti-fragment antibodies of said nucleic acid enhances, in particular, the sensitivity of the assay.

Abstract: A set of probes for determining HLA-DR types or sub-types includes at least one of the following probes:TGGCAGCTTA AGTTT;CCTAAGAGGG AGTG;GCGAGTGTGG AACCT; andAAGACAGGCG GGC.

Abstract: A device for assaying haptens includes a solid support linked through a nucleic acid fragment to a reagent that can compete with the hapten for binding to antibodies that bind to the hapten. A process for assaying a hapten uses this device.

Abstract: Device for capturing a target molecule for the purpose of detecting it and/or assaying it, including a solid support on which is immobilized a ligand, the ligand being provided in the form of a conjugate resulting from the covalent coupling of a polymer with a plurality of molecules of the ligand. The polymer is an N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, and the conjugate is immobilized on the solid support by adsorption.When the ligand is capable of forming a complex with the target, the device is specific for a given target. When the device comprises, in addition, a bifunctional reagent capable of forming a complex, on the one hand, with the ligand and, on the other hand, with the target, the support on which the ligand is immobilized constitutes a universal capturing system.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of a nucleotide sequence of interest comprising at least one nucleotide probe marked with a tracer. The methods comprise use of a reagent essentially comprising a linear backbone copolymer having lateral substituents, whose chain consists of a first type of repetitive unit and at least one other type of repetitive unit, in which at least one part of the units of the first type have a lateral substituent comprising a nucleotide unit, such a lateral substituent not being present on the other types of units. Each of said nucleotide units, all of which are identical, comprise at least one nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with said sequence of interest and nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with a probe, the reagent containing on average more than two of said nucleotide units, in molar equivalents, per mole of polymer. Such a reagent enables signal amplification to be obtained, and therefor lowers the sensitivity threshold.

Abstract: A procedure for detecting single-stranded nucleotide sequences in a sample is disclosed wherein a passively fixed capture probe is used in concert with a non-radioactively labelled detection probe in a sandwich hybridization technique.

Abstract: In a process for immobilization by passive fixation on a solid support of a nucleic acid fragment containing less than 100 nucleotides, the fragment is deposited on the support in the form of a derivative. The derivative results from the covalent coupling of the fragment with a ligand having a molecular mass of less than 5,000 and containing at least one polar functional group. The derivative is not capable of forming a covalent bond with the support under the conditions of the deposition. When the ligand is a nucleotide or an oligonucleotide it is at least one nucleotide modified so as to introduce the polar functional group.

Abstract: A circuit for calculating the discrete Fourier transform which includes a multiplier, two adders for effecting the calculation of the discrete Fourier transform while describing a butterfly data path, and address processors which supply the multiplier and adders with continuous data under the control of a synchronization clock. To accelerate the calculations, the processor has a memory for reducing the data access time. This memory is divided into two parts, each of which alternately plays the role of calculation memory and input/output memory for the transfer of data with a memory external to the processor.