Abstract: A vial seal is provided for sealing a plurality of reagent-containing vials seated in a reagent pack. The vial seal comprises a pliable cover having attached thereto a plurality of vial inserts for sealing a corresponding plurality of such vials. The pliable cover contains a corresponding plurality of openings which fit around the necks of the vials to allow the vial seal to remain with the vials at all times. The pliable cover contains a fastener which allows the vial seal to be held in a non-interfering position with respect to the vial openings when the inserts are disengaged from the vials.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel homogeneous immunoassay systems involving complement-mediated lysis of marker-encapsulating lipid vesicles (liposomes) for detection of analyte in a fluid sample. These systems do not require the separation of unbound antigens and/or antibody conjugates yet provide highly sensitive procedures for analyte detection. Liposomes containing a marker, are coupled to antibody fragments in a way which confers the liposomes with immunological specificity yet avoids sensitizing the liposomes to complement mediated lysis in the absence of analyte. Antibody sensitized liposomes (the first reagent) are sequentially incubated with an analyte-containing sample, and optionally "dummy" liposomes, which do not contain encapsulated marker, a second antibody (the second reagent), and finally with a complement source such as plasma. Complement is activated by the liposome-antibody-antigen-second antibody complex causing liposome lysis and a concomitant release of marker.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorescein derivative compounds having fluorescence spectrum and quantum yield characteristics similar to those of fluorescein. The compounds are readily synthesized and purified and are readily soluble in water at self-quenching concentrations. Significantly, due to the presence of polar polyhydroxy group substituents and the absence of metal-chelating groups, these fluorescein derivatives are susceptible to minimal leakage across liposome membranes and have fluorescence characteristics minimally sensitive to the presence of metal ions. Compounds of the invention are thus exceptionally suitable for use in the development of highly storage stable liposome preparations to be employed in immunolytic assays involving human body fluid samples.

Abstract: This invention encompasses an eukaryotic expression vector constructed from a prokaryotic plasmid by inserting into the prokaryotic plasmid a mediator sequence and a promoter/regulatory sequence with a restriction endonuclease site for inserting a gene to be expressed. The gene to be expressed is inserted into the restriction endonuclease site in the promoter/regulatory sequence and the resulting plasmid is in turn used to transform a eukaryotic cell. The gene is expressed with or without viral mediation.

Abstract: A snap cap apparatus is provided for sealing individual or a plurality of containers having necked openings. The snap cap apparatus comprises one or more caps, each cap having a pliable cover, the cover supporting one or a plurality of caps for sealing corresponding containers having necked openings. The snap caps providing a chamber and concentrically positioned within the chamber are stopper elements with a base connected to the thin pliable cover. The stopper elements terminating in an exposed end portion which is tapered to a smaller dimension than the base, the exposed end portion being positioned proximal to the open end of the chamber of the cap, the cap and stopper element combining to define an open ring portion for receiving container opening neck portions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and reagents for determining amphetamine and methamphetamine in a biological fluid such as urine. In particular, this disclosure relates to a fluorescence polarization immunoassay procedure for determining the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine in a single assay and to a novel class of tracer compounds employed as reagents in such procedures. The procedure described includes pretreatment of the biological sample to eliminate cross-reactants such as .beta.-hydroxyphenethylamine by preincubating the sample solely with an aqueous periodate solution having a pH from about 4.0 to about 7.5 without adjustment to an alkaline pH.

Abstract: An article for washing automated immunoassay apparatus probe is provided in the form of a plug member with first and second chambers. The first chamber is defined by a inner wall and a bottom surface which when positioned below a probe of a clinical analysis apparatus provides for recirculation of liquid dispensed from the probe back along the outer surface of the probe to remove residual sample from the probe surface prior to conducting subsequent tests with the probe. In the preferred embodiment of the plug, the second chamber is provided with a plurality of passages for drainage of fluid to a reagent waste container which, in the preferred embodiment, incorporates the plug member at the orifice thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for polycationic buffers for the gel electrophoresis of and methods for obtaining improved separation and resolution of nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides for a buffer consisting essentially of histidine for the gel electrophoresis of oligonucleotides ranging from a few to about 70 nucleotides in length. Polycationic buffers may be used for both analytical and preparative purposes and result in a nearly two-fold improvement in both separation and resolution of the nucleic acid bands. Furthermore, the use of polycationic buffers reduces the electrophoresis time by a factor of about three due to the low conductivity of the buffers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorescein derivative compounds having fluorescence spectrum and quantum yield characteristics similar to those of fluorescein. The compounds are readily synthesized and purified and are readily soluble in water at self-quenching concentrations. Significantly, due to the presence of polar polyhydroxy group substituents and the absence of metal-chelating groups, these fluorescein derivatives are susceptible to minimal leakage across liposome membranes and have fluorescence characteristics minimally sensitive to the presence of metal ions. Compounds of the invention are thus exceptionally suitable for use in the development of highly storage stable liposome preparations to be employed in immunolytic assays involving human body fluid samples.

Abstract: DNA cloning shuttle vectors, including a cosmid shuttle vector, for E. coli and Streptomyces are disclosed. Specifically, disclosed shuttle vectors pAL7002 (NRRL B-18055) and pNJl (NRRL B-18054) contain an E. coli origin of replication, Streptomyces replication functions, and antibiotic resistance markers for both E. coli and Streptomyces. In addition, pNJl contains a cos sequence. Novel 2-norerythromycin antibiotics A, B, C, and D, which were produced in a strain Streptomyces erythreus 12693-240 (NRRL B-18053) transformed by pNJl bearing DNA from Streptomyces antibioticus, are also disclosed. The present invention also provides a method for producing novel antibiotics. This method for antibiotic production is applied to the transformation of a blocked mutant of S. erythreus with genomic DNA from S. antibioticus but may be more broadly applied to genes to antibiotic-producing strains transformed into cells which are blocked in the pathway for production of a different antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for generating aqueous liquid encapsulating multi-lamellar lipid vesicles (liposomes) wherein one or more lipids, or lipid conjugates, and an aqueous liquid to be encapsulated, are agitated in a vessel in the presence of spherical contact masses having a mean diameter of less than 3,000 microns, the preferred size range being 50-100 microns in diameter, and resulting in a substantially homogeneous population of vesicles having diameters in the range of about 150 to about 3,000 nanometers. The methods allow for the use of small quantities of marker and lipid, leave no residual solvents, allow for contact only with glass surfaces, and involve no transfer of liposome preparations from lipid film drying vessels to sizing apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and reagents for determining amphetamine and methamphetamine in a biological fluid such as urine. In particular, this disclosure relates to a fluorescence polarization immunoassay procedure for determining the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine in a single assay and to a novel class of tracer compounds employed as reagents in such procedures. The procedure described includes pretreatment of the biological sample to eliminate cross-reactants such as .beta.-hydroxyphenethylamine by preincubating the sample solely with an aqueous periodate solution having a pH from about 4.0 to about 7.5 without adjustment to an alkaline pH.

Abstract: A sample containment apparatus for use in an automated analyzer network is disclosed. The sample containment apparatus comprises a ring and a plurality of sample containers attached or mounted thereto. Each sample container has the capacity to contain an aliquot of sample sufficient for an entire battery of tests to be performed. Mounting flanges are disclosed for removably mounting the sample containment apparatus on carousels of each of a selected plurality of analyzers in the network to perform a selected plurality of tests on the samples.

Abstract: A multiple dose reagent pack and corresponding carousel for an automated analyzer are disclosed. The reagent pack contains a plurality of vial-receiving wells which receive and hold a plurality of reagent-containing vials to form a unitary reagent pack. The carousel contains a plurality of radially spaced compartments which are adapted to receive and hold either a reagent pack or a sample container. A corresponding plurality of reaction container openings are provided on the carousel. Reagent packs for specific assays can be selectively interspersed with sample containers in the compartments to provide a wide variety of test combinations.