Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for isolating from a mixed population of cells disired living cells either producing and releasing a particular product or having a characteristic molecule on their surface. The isolation techniques depend upon the localized interaction between the product (or molecule) and other agents added to the system such that distinguishable conditions can be caused to occur (or not occur) only in the immediate vicinity of desired cells which produced and released the product or which contain the molecule on their surface.

Abstract: Microcapsules for effecting an immune response, especially through agglutination reaction, comprise an antigen or antibody bound to functional groups, such as amino groups, carboxy groups, etc., on a wall surface of the microcapsules via cross linking agents, such as polyfunctional isocyanates, isothiocyanates, etc. The antigen or antibody is strongly bound to the wall surface of the microcapsules to thereby achieve excellent detection sensitivity.

Abstract: Luminescence immunoassays for haptens can be improved and made more sensitive by using a luminescence labelled hapten conjugate which contains as the linkage group a chain-like polymer having repeating functional groups having bound thereto per mole both a plurality of moles of groups capable of luminescence and a plurality of moles of hapten. The antibody used is preferably one which is prepared by the use of another chain-like polymer having bound thereto the hapten by a different chemical reaction.

Abstract: A process and apparatus has been developed for radioassay of ligand in solution which eliminates the separation step required in conventional techniques. A chamber is provided containing a quenching solution, a plurality of ligand molecules and a plurality of receptor molecules. One of pluralities forms a free species labelled with a beta particle emitter while the other is immobilized on a solid support, e.g., the chamber wall or a microbead, within the chamber. Ligand introduced with the sample competes with ligand molecules already in the chamber for receptor sites on the receptor molecules and the free species is allowed to diffuse about the chamber. A beta particle detector in communication with the chamber at a fixed position detects only those beta particles emitted from within the quenching distance of the quenching solution. The quenching properties of the solution are used in place of the conventional separation step.

Abstract: A liposome assay reagent for determination of an analyte in a homogeneous immunoassay. The reagent includes a suspension of oligolamellar lipid vesicles containing encapsulated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), at a specific activity of between about 1-10 units/.mu.mole vesicle lipid, and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) at a concentration of at least about 5 mM. The encapsulated G6P protects the enzyme against inactivation on preparation, by reverse phase evaporation in the presence of organic solvent, and on storage as an aqueous suspension.

Abstract: There is presented a novel immunological element suitable for an immunological assay of an antigen according to the so called two antibody method, which element having two separate sheets, one being a sheet for reaction in which the reaction for formation of antigen-antibody bounds is carried out and the antigen-antibody bounds formed are immobilized, the other being a F receptor sheet in which unreacted free labelled antigen is transferred at a controlled rate to be received for analysis. This element enables separation between the bounds and the free labelled antigen by a simple operation without cumbersome separation procedures and is also excellent in storability.

Abstract: There is disclosed an immunoassay comprising carrying out an immunological reaction by contacting a fluid sample with an element for immunoassay, having at least three layers of a first detecting layer, a blocking layer and a second detecting layer which are successively laminated, the element containing a substance capable of binding specifically to an immunologically active substance in a fluid sample only in either one of the first and the second detecting layers, and then measuring the detected quantities corresponding to the immunological reaction quantities from both of the first and the second detecting layers.The immunoassay by the use of the immunological analytical element according to this invention improves the precision immunoassay by measuring both of Bound and Free.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the de novo synthesis of antibody-containing polymers and the preparation of a class of polymerizable compounds used in the synthesis of such antibody-containing polymers. Antibody-containing polymers formed from monomer/antibody conjugates and nonderivatized polymerizable compounds can be varied in formation of the polymer to provide control of (a) molecular spacing, steric accessibility and the number of antibody molecules that are integrally incorporated into the polymer backbone, and (b) the chemical and physical structure of the polymer itself, thus enabling specific tailoring of antibody-containing polymers for particular end-use application. Also disclosed is a method for the selective removal of a compound from a solution or suspension thereof using monomer/receptor conjugates where the compound has the capacity to bind to the receptor in the conjugate.

Abstract: An agglutination assay reagent and method. The reagent is composed of liposomes predominantly in the 1 to 20 micron diameter size range. Each liposome has a surface array of laterally mobile ligand molecules, at a surface concentration adapted to produce reagent agglutination within about 5 minutes, when the reagent is incubated at room temperature with a multivalent ligand-binding analyte. A dye in the liposomes allows such agglutination to be visualized easily without magnification.

Abstract: Preparation of an immunoassay gel substrate which includes the steps of depositing on an immobilizing support structure a liquid mass of a gel-forming emulsion which coalesces into a thick gel-like matrix film characterized by substantial non-agglomerated matrix homogeneity, treating the resulting film to alter matrix homogeneity by agglomerating particles which form part of the gel, and as a consequence of the treating step establishing the object gel. Treating may be performed either by subjecting the gel to multiple time-vigorous water-wash and dry cycles, by emersing the gel in water for a relatively long period of time, or by wetting the gel and then subjecting it to one or more freeze/thaw cycles.

Abstract: Microencapsulation of solid phase scintillators in gels selectively permeable to diffusible radioactive label. These encapsulated scintillators are used to monitor the concentration of radioactive-tagged subtances in fluid systems.

Abstract: An assay apparatus and methods employing total internal fluorescence to define a thin observed volume of a multi-phase suspension from which the suspended phase, because of its size and shape, is substantially excluded. Observations of the fluorescence of a known quantity of fluorescent material introduced into a known volume of the sample containing the observed volume permits quantitation of the volumes of the suspended and suspending phases.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in accurately measuring the binding reactions occurring between a predetermined class of components in a liquid specimen and their corresponding binding conjugates coated on separate test regions of a carrier. The carrier further includes a reference region that is uncoated, and the carrier is adapted for simultaneous contact of all of its regions with the liquid specimen. Any resulting binding reaction on each test region indicates both specific binding to the coated component as well as non-specific binding, and any resulting binding reaction on the reference region indicates merely non-specific binding. The measurements for the test regions are all reduced by an amount determined in accordance with the measurement for the reference region, to reduce the effects of non-specific binding on those measurements and thereby provide accurate measurements of the specific binding on each coated component.

Abstract: A substrate for fluoroimmunoassay is disclosed comprising a swellable, rehydratable polymeric protein-binding material forming a three-dimensional matrix; first particulate, light scattering centers distributed in the polymeric matrix capable of scattering visible light; and second particulate, light-scattering centers distributed in the polymeric matrix capable of reflecting fluorescent excitation light and absorbing all other light. The substrate efficiently binds proteins and enhances transmitted fluorescent light and thus increases the sensitivity of assays involving fluorescent measurements. The polymeric protein binding material is preferable an acrylic copolymer. The first light scattering centers are preferably oxides of titanium and zinc, and the second light-scattering centers are preferably a phthalocyanin compound.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an immunoassay of a binding reaction between a ligand and an antiligand which are typically an antigen and an antibody, including a spatial pattern formed by a spatial array of separate regions of antiligand material, and ligand material dispersed to interact with the spatial array of separate regions of antiligand material for producing a binding reaction between the ligand and the antiligand in the spatial patterns and with the bound complexes labeled with a particular physical characteristic. A source of input energy and with the input energy at a particular spectrum for interacting with particular physical characteristic of the labeled binding reaction.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for the quantitative in vitro determination of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in human blood extracts, bone marrow extracts and lymphocyte extracts and wherein the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase is extracted with an extractant containing a nonionic surfactant, an anticoagulant and a reducing agent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the de novo synthesis of polypeptide-containing polymers. This disclosure also includes a description of, and a method for the preparation of, a class of polymerizable compounds used in the synthesis of polypeptide-containing polymers. These polymerizable compounds are chemical conjugates prepared by covalent linkage of polymerizable organic monomers with specific polypeptides. Soluble monomer/polypeptide conjugates can be polymerized in solution with additional nonderivatized organic monomers to form desired polypeptide-containing polymers. The amount and composition of monomer and monomer/polypeptide conjugates can be varied in order to provide control of (a) molecular spacing, steric accessibility, and number of polypeptide molecules that are integrally incorporated into the polymer backbone, and (b) the chemical and physical structure of the polymer itself. This enables the specific tailoring of polypeptide-containing polymers for particular end-use applications.

Abstract: A conjugate useful in determining the amount of antigen or antibody in a liquid sample, said conjugate having a marker, an immunoreactive component (i.e. antigen or antibody) bound to the marker and an insolubilizing binding component which is also bound to the marker. The insolubilizing binding component portion of the conjugate will react with an insolubilizing receptor to form a solid product of conjugate and receptor unless the conjugate reacts with the corresponding antigen or antibody to be analyzed in which event the conjugate will not react with the insolubilizing receptor. The conjugate will be added to a liquid sample containing an unknown amount of, for example, an antibody. A known amount of the corresponding antigen is also added which reacts with both the conjugate and antibody. After the reaction is complete, the liquid sample is contacted with the insolubilizing receptor.

Abstract: An improvement in assaying methods involving biospecific affinity reactions, in which there are used from 2 to 4 reactants, one of which, reactant (I), is labelled with at least one analytically indicatable atom or group and is soluble in the aqueous liquid in which the biospecific affinity reaction is carried out, the reactants forming, by means of biospecific reactions, a conjugate in which labelled reactant (I) is incorporated; and in which assaying methods the analytically indicatable atom or group is assayed in the conjugate and/or in labelled reactant (I), which is not bound to the conjugate. The conjugate that has been formed or labelled reactant (I) not bound to the conjugate is bound covalently to an insoluble carrier or to an insolubilizable carrier, which latter carrier is made insoluble after the covalent binding has been carried out, whereafter the assay of the analytically indicatable atom or group is carried out.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an enzymatically active formulation embedded in silica gel, wherein an aqueous mixture of an enzymatically active formulation and a dissolved alkali metal silicate and/or ammonium silicate is suspended in an organic, water-immiscible fluid and then converted to a water-insoluble gel.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a ligand in, or the ligand binding capacity of a liquid test sample which includes the steps of (a) adding to the sample a conjugate of the ligand and a label, (b) contacting the sample with a test device containing reagents which in conjunction with the conjugate and ligand, are capable of producing a detectable response, and (c) measuring the response.

Abstract: A device for determining the presence of antigens which comprises a first zone containing antigens and enzyme-linked antibodies which are capable of immunologically reacting with said antigens, said antibodies being positioned in said first zone such that they will be removed from said first zone when reacted with antigens passing through said first zone but not removed from said first zone in the absence of such antigens, and a second zone containing material capable of reacting with said enzyme-linked antibodies to produce a color forming reaction which indicates the presence of said antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and to apparatus for chemical and biochemical analyses which employ an energy-transmissive core and may employ one or more sheaths which selectively absorb, react with, and/or filter an analyte or a product of an analyte. The core is transmissive to a chosen energy carrier and it has an inlet end and an outlet end. Between these ends it has an extended length. The passage of energy through the core is modified by reason of events which occur in one or more of the sheaths or in the case where no sheath is employed, by reason of events which occur in an ambient fluid. The resulting modification of the transmitted energy is a measure of such events which in turn are a measure of the analyte. The energy may be any of several types of energy which can be transmitted through the core from end to end and which is susceptible to modification by reactions in the sheath or sheaths or ambient fluid. The energy may be electromagnetic, electrical or sonic.

Abstract: A stabilized radioimmunoassay product consisting of an antibody protein-bound to the cell wall of a selected bacterium whereby the antibody is irreversibly bound to the protein and remains specific for the antigen against which it was developed. The radioimmunoassay product is also characterized by the fact that the resultant complete product includes a phase of serum protein treatment to isolate the protein sites or other sites of nonspecific reactivity with the labelled antigen such that the non-specific binding of labelled antigen is significantly reduced. Also within the contemplation of the invention is the method of manufacturing the radioimmunoassay product which includes the initial phase of protein binding of the antibody to the selected bacterium and the subsequent serum treatment to isolate previously unutilized protein sites such that when said sites are subsequently exposed to labelled antigen it will be rejected.

Abstract: An element for the analysis or transport of liquid, especially aqueous liquids, contains a structure comprising a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to the liquid, and an adhesive concentrated at particle surface areas contiguous to adjacent particles bonding the particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice that is non-swellable in the liquid. A substantial portion of the particle surface area in this lattice structure is therefore effectively free from adhesive. The lattice structure has interconnected void spaces among the particles representing a total void volume of about 25 to 80 percent to provide for transport of the liquid. The adhesive comprises an organic polymer different from that of the particles and insoluble in the liquid under analysis. The amount of adhesive in the structure is less than 10 weight percent of the particles.