Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the selective purification of bacterial cells and/or cell components, whereby the purification is performed by means of a solid support.

Abstract: A binding partner, especially an antibody fragment that specifically recognizes an antigen-antibody immune complex between anti-THC and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is disclosed. The binding partner facilitates a non-competitive homogenous immunoassay for detection of cannabis use. A test kit comprising the binding partner is also described. Preferably the immunoassay is applied for roadside testing of saliva from suspected drivers.

Abstract: A binding partner, especially an antibody fragment that specifically recognizes an antigen-antibody immune complex between anti-THC and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is disclosed. The binding partner facilitates a non-competitive homogenous immunoassay for detection of cannabis use. A test kit comprising the binding partner is also described. Preferably the immunoassay is applied for roadside testing of saliva from suspected drivers.

Abstract: Reactive and modified M13 bacteriophages, and methods of making and using the same, are generally provided. The reactive M13 bacteriophage can include a alkyne functional group covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage. The modified M13 bacteriophage can include a substituent covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage via a 1,2,3-triazole linkage. Dual-modified M13 bacteriophages are also generally provided, and can include a cancer-targeting substituent covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage and a fluorescent group covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage. The modified M13 bacteriophages can not only be employed as a fluorescent probe for cancer imaging, but also can be used as biomaterials for cell alignment and scaffolding.

Abstract: A system for analyzing expression levels and activity of a plurality of proteins is provided. A bio-displayed polypeptide binding component associated with a predetermined marker is used to bind the proteins of interest. The predetermined marker components are then amplified and detected in a high throughput manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relatively accurate, rapid and economical method of screening a patient for the presence of inflammatory diseases such as an intraamniotic infection, bacterial meningitis and the sexually transmitted diseases; gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The method of the present invention involves measuring the concentration of neutrophil defensins HNP1-3 and the concentration of lactoferrin, found in a bodily fluid, tissue or a combination thereof, adding these two concentrations together to yield a summed total, and correlating the measured summed total to known summed totals to give an indication of whether the patient is at risk of suffering from inflammatory diseases such as an intraamniotic infection, bacterial meningitis or the sexually transmitted diseases; gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.

Abstract: A method for selecting novel proteins such as growth hormone and antibody fragment variants having altered binding properties for their respective receptor molecules is provided. The method comprises fusing a gene encoding a protein of interest to the carboxy terminal domain of the gene III coat protein of the filamentous phage M13. The gene fusion is mutated to form a library of structurally related fusion proteins that are expressed in low quantity on the surface of a phagemid particle. Biological selection and screening are employed to identify novel ligands useful as drug candidates. Disclosed are preferred phagemid expression vectors and selected human growth hormone variants.

Abstract: Ligands that interact with a target can be more easily identified if false positive interactions (either specific or non-specific) from the detecting system are differentiated from the target-specific interaction. An improved method of identifying peptides which bind with a target protein is presented. The steps are: binding a random library of peptides to a support material, allowing detection reagents to contact the peptides and the support material then identifying these interactions, then allowing the target protein to selectively bind to the peptides, allowing detection reagents to contact the bound target protein, and characterizing the peptide bound to the identified support material. Interaction of a ligand or the support material with the detection reagents will cause a distinct color change which distinguishes those ligands which selectively bind to target protein. The characterized peptide can then be used in affinity purification of the target protein.

Abstract: A method for selecting novel proteins such as growth hormone and antibody fragment variants having altered binding properties for their respective receptor molecules is provided. The method comprises fusing a gene encoding a protein of interest to the carboxy terminal domain of the gene III coat protein of the filamentous phage M13. The gene fusion is mutated to form a library of structurally related fusion proteins that are expressed in low quantity on the surface of a phagemid particle. Biological selection and screening are employed to identify novel ligands useful as drug candidates. Disclosed are preferred phagemid expression vectors and selected human growth hormone variants.

Abstract: Bacteriophages are employed as agents for recognition and identification of molecules and cellular materials, using their ability to recognize their bacterial host, by coating them with antibodies or by selecting them to perform in a manner analogous to antibodies. Visibility for identification is effected by incorporating a fluorescent agent, a radioisotope, a metal, an enzyme, or other staining material. The bacteriophage are prepared so as to bind to the molecular or cellular material through either the tail or head segment of the bacteriophage.

Abstract: A method and composition for detecting analyte moieties by means of a signalling moiety capable of aggrandizement are disclosed. The signalling moiety can be attached to or not attached to the analyte moiety/analyte-specific moiety complex. The signalling moiety can be viable or non-viable. The methods disclosed herein provide a sensitive assay for the detection of a wide range of different analyte moieties.