Abstract: A method for purification of a nucleic acid comprising the steps of (a) adsorbing on a substrate the nucleic acid from a composition containing (i) an aqueous buffer, (ii) salts in a high concentration, (iii) a water-miscible, non-acidic organic compound, and (iv) the nucleic acid; (b) optionally washing with a washing solution the substrate with the adsorbed nucleic acid; (c) contacting the substrate with the adsorbed nucleic acid with a solution containing salts in a lower concentration compared to the composition of step (a), thereby desorbing the nucleic acid from the substrate; (d) separating the solution with the desorbed nucleic acid from the substrate, thereby purifying the nucleic acid; and optionally (e) precipitating the desorbed nucleic acid from the solution of step (d) and isolating the precipitated nucleic acid, thereby further purifying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the recombinant production or expression of eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase mutants in yeast cells wherein the specifically introduced mutations result in a reduction of the specific AP activity by at least a factor 1:100. The invention also concerns a method for inserting corresponding nucleic acid sequences into a vector for expression in methylotrophic yeast strains and it concerns corresponding vectors and host strains.

Abstract: Compounds of methamphetamine derivatives having a meta-substituted alkyl linker on the benzene ring and a protective group on the nitrogen of the methamphetamine hapten. Such compounds have the structure wherein R1 is an alkyl linker comprising 2-15 carbon atoms and 0-6 heteroatoms, R2 is a leaving group, and R3 is a protecting group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified IMPDH polypeptide wherein the IMPDH polypeptide has a histidine tag and where the subdomain of the IMPDH polypeptide is modified so that the rate stability of the histidine-tagged, modified IMPDH polypeptide is maintained relative to the wild-type IMPDH polypeptide. The invention also relates to a method, nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells for producing such a histidine-tagged, modified IMPDH polypeptide, and to kits comprising the histidine-tagged, modified IMPDH polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a blood withdrawal system for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes. The blood withdrawal system includes housing with a lancet, which can be moved within the housing. The housing also includes a lancet drive with a drive spring and a cocking mechanism that includes an actuation element. The blood withdrawal system of the present invention also includes a lancet ejection mechanism that can be moved from an active position to remove the lancet to a passive position where such removal of the lancet is not possible.

Abstract: The invention provides derivatives of efavirenz and methods of making derivatives of efavirenz. The derivatives include immunogenic compounds for producing antibodies to efavirenz and labeled efavirenz tracers. These compounds are useful in immunoassay methods for determining efavirenz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chemiluminescent compounds, to a method for synthesizing these compounds, to derivatives and conjugates comprising these compounds, to the use of these compounds or conjugates thereof in chemiluminescence based assays, especially in immunoassays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the measurement of an analyte in biological samples whereby an uncompetitive inhibitor is coupled to a ligand and utilized in a homogeneous assay. The analyte can be a drug or drug derivative, hormone, polypeptide, or oligonucleotide. The present invention also provides novel compounds, assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing such measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of the protein nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of colorectal cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring NNMT in said sample. Measurement of NNMT can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the recombinant production or expression of eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase mutants in yeast cells wherein the specifically introduced mutations result in a reduction of the specific AP activity by at least a factor 1:100. The invention also concerns a method for inserting corresponding nucleic acid sequences into a vector for expression in methylotrophic yeast strains and it concerns corresponding vectors and host strains.

Abstract: Derivatives and conjugates of indinavir for generation of antibodies and labeled conjugates for use for detection of indinavir in biological samples. The derivatives are synthesized out of the indane ring hydroxyl group or the pyridine ring nitrogen of indinavir. Also disclosed is synthesis of a major metabolite of indinavir (M6) in a single step from indinavir using palladium catalyst and hydrogen gas. Indinavir M6 has been extended to synthesize various analogs of indinavir with suitable functional groups. These derivatives are useful in the development of indinavir immunogens, antibodies, and labeled conjugates in the development of indinavir immunoassays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind buprenorphine and/or at least one metabolic product thereof. The present invention further relates to buprenorphine metabolite conjugates for the production of monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind buprenorphine and/or at least one metabolic product thereof and hybridoma cells that produce the monoclonal antibodies. The invention also relates to immunoassay methods for determining buprenorphine and/or one or more buprenorphine metabolites in a sample using the novel antibodies and conjugates of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a matrix reactor for reactions in which low-molecular and high-molecular reactants are involved wherein the reactor space VR contains a matrix and comprises a reaction compartment and a supply compartment, wherein the matrix is composed of a porous material which can take up low-molecular reactants and wherein the exclusion volume V0 of the matrix is available as the reaction compartment and the matrix volume VM of the matrix is available as the supply compartment. The matrix reactor can be used for enzymatic processes, in particular for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins.

Abstract: Activated haptens useful for generating immunogens to HIV protease inhibitors, immunogens useful for producing antibodies to HIV protease inhibitors, and antibodies and labeled conjugates useful in immunoassays for HIV protease inhibitors. The novel haptens feature an activated functionality at the central, non-terminal hydroxyl group common to all HIV protease inhibitors, e.g., saquinavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, amprenavir, ritonavir, lopinavir, and atazanavir.

Abstract: Compounds including haptens, intermediates, and immunogens that are useful in the production of antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives are described. Antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives, reagent kits containing antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives, methods of producing antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives, and methods of detecting analytes including members of the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides hapten derivatives useful for the preparation of antigens, antibodies and reagents for use in immunoassays for the detection of LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD. In the present invention, the 2-oxy LSD nucleus is derivatized out of the indole nitrogen to form an aminoalkyl derivative. The resulting haptens can then be further modified at this functionalized position for linking to appropriate immunogenic or labeling groups to provide reagents for immunoassays having substantially equal specificity for both LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD.

Abstract: Activated haptens useful for generating immunogens to the HIV protease inhibitor atazanavir, immunogens useful for producing antibodies to atazanavir, and antibodies and labeled conjugates useful in immunoassays for determination of atazanavir. The haptens feature an activated functionality at the central, non-terminal hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of microfluidic channel structures. The invention discloses a microfluidic channel system with a high aspect ratio as well as a process for producing the microfluidic system. The process according to the invention enables the production of channel structures with aspect ratios of any magnitude without the process being limited by the manufacturing conditions to certain materials for the channel system. The channel system can thus be optimally adapted to a desired field of application.

Abstract: The invention is a multichamber microdialysis device with a multitude of sample chambers in close side by side arrangement (similar to a microtiter plate) for receiving liquid samples, and at least one dialysate chamber for receiving a dialysate liquid. The sample chambers are surrounded by circumferential sidewalls and are in liquid exchange contact to a neighboring dialysis chamber via an exchange opening covered by a semipermeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane is fixed liquid-tight to the walls of the sample chamber, so that a diffusion exchange between the sample chamber and the correspondingly neighboring dialysate chamber is only possible via the membrane. Consequently, only molecules with a molecular weight below the molecular cut-off of the semipermeable membrane can diffuse from the sample chamber to the dialysate chamber or from the dialysate chamber to the sample chamber.

Abstract: A method for controlling proteolytic action in manufacturing enzyme-treated natural rubber latex and products made therefrom. The method involves adding a protease inhibitor such that hydrolysis by protease enzymes is stopped. A preferred inhibitor is a low molecular weight, cationic protease inhibitor from Fagopyrum esculentum having stability in the pH range of 2–12.