Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres comprising protein signal precursor molecules, or a carrier protein bonded to signal precursor molecules, wherein said signal precursor molecules are activatable to generate a detectable signal while remaining bonded to the carrier protein. Also disclosed is a method of making such microspheres comprising the steps of mixing protein molecules with a matrix former in solution; adding a reducing reagent to the mixture; removing the reducing reagent; and removing the matrix former to leave microspheres of protein molecules. Also disclosed are bioassay methods using the microspheres to provide signal amplification, including an amplification cycling procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres comprising protein signal precursor molecules, or a carrier protein bonded to signal precursor molecules, wherein said signal precursor molecules are activatable to generate a detectable signal whilst remaining bonded to the carrier protein. Also disclosed is a method of making such microspheres comprising the steps of mixing protein molecules with a matrix former in solution; adding a reducing reagent to the mixture; removing the reducing reagent; and removing the matrix former to leave microspheres of protein molecules. Also disclosed are bioassay methods using the microspheres to provide signal amplification, including an amplification cycling procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres comprising protein signal precursor molecules, or a carrier protein bonded to signal precursor molecules, wherein said signal precursor molecules are activatable to generate a detectable signal whilst remaining bonded to the carrier protein. Also disclosed is a method of making such microspheres comprising the steps of mixing protein molecules with a matrix former in solution; adding a reducing reagent to the mixture; removing the reducing reagent; and removing the matrix former to leave microspheres of protein molecules. Also disclosed are bioassay methods using the microspheres to provide signal amplification, including an amplification cycling procedure.

Abstract: A method for generating and localizing a signal in a solid phase substrate detection system comprises applying a solution of target material to a substrate; binding the target with a specific affinity molecule having an attached label, the label comprising multiple signal precursor molecules; applying a carrier to the substrate, and treating the label to convert the signal precursor molecules to signal generating molecules. The carrier comprises solvent for the label and thickener for localizing the signal. The carrier may include developer that converts signal precursor molecules to signal generating molecules. Developer is not necessary if the signal precursor molecules are converted to signal generating molecules by e.g. temperature change, pH change, sonication, light irradiation, microwave heating. A test device for detecting target in a fluid sample, and a kit of parts for determining the presence of target in a fluid sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres comprising protein signal precursor molecules, or a carrier protein bonded to signal precursor molecules, wherein said signal precursor molecules are activatable to generate a detectable signal whilst remaining bonded to the carrier protein. Also disclosed is a method of making such microspheres comprising the steps of mixing protein molecules with a matrix former in solution; adding a reducing reagent to the mixture; removing the reducing reagent; and removing the matrix former to leave microspheres of protein molecules. Also disclosed are bioassay methods using the microspheres to provide signal amplification, including an amplification cycling procedure.

Abstract: A method for generating and localizing a signal in a solid phase substrate detection system comprises applying a solution of target material to a substrate; binding the target with a specific affinity molecule having an attached label, the label comprising multiple signal precursor molecules; applying a carrier to the substrate, and treating the label to convert the signal precursor molecules to signal generating molecules. The carrier comprises solvent for the label and thickener for localizing the signal. The carrier may include developer that converts signal precursor molecules to signal generating molecules. Developer is not necessary if the signal precursor molecules are converted to signal generating molecules by e.g. temperature change, pH change, sonication, light irradiation, microwave heating. A test device for detecting target in a fluid sample, and a kit of parts for determining the presence of target in a fluid sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the measurement of lipocalin-2 in body fluids (including but not limited to blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, tear, etc.) by an assay such as an immunoassay or an immunotest for (1) the prediction of risk of future cardiovascular diseases; and (2) the determination of the likelihood that certain individuals will benefit to a greater or lesser extent from the use of certain treatments designed to prevent and/or treat cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assaying a plurality of analytes such as e.g. metabolites and antigens in biological and other liquid samples by means of analytical elements, especially lateral-flow test strips, flow-through membrane systems (flow-through tests), wells/cavities of microtitre plates or test tubes, the method according to the invention being based on coupled enzyme and affinity reactions and being carried out by means of endogenous calibrators, i.e. endogenously produced substances, by means of which dilutions of sample matrices can be corrected (e.g. creatinine, glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, lactate, glutamate, aspartate, cholesterol, pyruvate, urea and triglycerides). Application areas of the invention are principally medical diagnostics, the pharmaceutical industry and protection of the environment. Preferably the invention concerns the simultaneous or sequential assay of antigens and metabolites.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the measurement of lipocalin-2 in body fluids (including but not limited to blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, tear, etc.) by an assay such as an immunoassay or an immunotest for (1) the prediction of risk of future cardiovascular diseases; and (2) the determination of the likelihood that certain individuals will benefit to a greater or lesser extent from the use of certain treatments designed to prevent and/or treat cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: Process for encapsulation of an uncharged crystalline solid particle include treating the crystalline solid particle material with amphiphilic substances and subsequently coating the material with a layer of charged polyelectrolyte or coating the material with a multilayer comprising alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: The present invention refers to microcapsules with high permeability for low molecular weight molecules and no permeability for high molecular weight molecules encapsulating a nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture, in particular, a PCR reaction mixture and providing a compartment to perform a nucleic acid amplification, in particular, a PCR reaction and to applications of such capsules to perform parallel PCR, screening, construction of DNA libraries and sequencing.

Abstract: The invention refers to a new process for preparing coated crystals by coating crystal template particles with alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and/or nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention refers to capsules encapsulating solid particles of signal-generating organic substances and carrying on the outer surface affinity molecules for specific recognition of and binding to target molecules in a sample. The invention is directed to the use of these capsules for signal production in the optical, electrochemical or chemical detection of target molecules. To obtain a signal the signal-generating organic substances are released and dissolved. A detection method and a kit are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to (i) the encapsulation of uncharged organic substances in polymeric capsules by using a multi-step strategy that involves charging the surface of the microcrystals with an amphiphilic substance, followed by consecutively depositing polyelectrolytes of opposite charge to assemble a multilayered shell of polymeric material around the microcrystal template, and (ii) the formation of polymer multilayer cages derived from the coated crystals by facile removal of the crystalline template.