Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a binding assay comprises a machine-readable storage medium which supports a molecular receptor (22). In accordance with a second aspect, a support member (50) supports first (22) and second (24) molecular receptors and first (26) and second (28) data identifying the molecular receptors (22,24). In accordance with a third aspect, a support member has a first annular portion (106) to support molecular receptors and a second annular portion (108) to support machine-readable data identifying the plurality of molecular receptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single analog-to-digital converter system which is capable of converting an input signal having a high dynamic range into a digital signal which is within the range of the analog-to-digital converter. Additionally, the present invention provides an analog-to-digital converter which is capable of converting an input signal having a high dynamic range into a digital signal by controlling the amplification of the signal to achieve the optimal gain that falls within the range of the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic process performed at least partly in a fluidised bed contained in a vessel and comprising particle fluidised by an upwardly directed liquid flow, said process comprising (a) a capture step in which one or more compounds of a sample are captured by the particles and (b) a wash and/or releasing step in which the particles is in form of a fluidised bed through which a liquid flow is passing. The characteristic feature is that the liquid (liquid 1) used in the wash or the releasing step (step 1) is immediately followed by a liquid (liquid 2, step 2) having a higher density than liquid 1 while maintaining the bed in a fluidised state. A liquid chromatographic process having an actual sequence of steps comprising (c) at least a capture step in which a sample deriving from an animal is bound to the particles and (d) two consecutive steps (step 1 and step 2) in which the bed is fluidised by a liquid flow passing through said vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the quantitative release of natural or recombinant proteins, polypeptides (thermostable immunoligands) able to bind to the Fc-part of immunoglobulins (antibodies, in particular of the IgG class and primarily becoming bound outside the paratope) from complexes in various sample matrixes in order to make these released natural or recombinant proteins, polypeptides or peptides quantitatively available in immunochemical assays and to keep them quantitatively available. The method is characterized by mixing the sample with reagent compound that is able to bind non-specifically to immunoglobulins, and thereafter subjecting the sample to a heat treatment step followed by a cooling step.

Abstract: A method for the removal of a substance carrying a negative charge and being present in an aqueous liquid (I). The method comprises the steps of: (i) contacting the liquid with a matrix carrying a plurality of ligands comprising a positively charged structure and a hydrophobic structure, and (ii) desorbing the substance.

Abstract: A method of assaying for an analyte which occurs at least partially bound as a complex with its soluble receptor or binding protein, the method comprising the steps of: i) mixing a biological fluid serum sample containing the analyte to be determined with a detergent for dissociating said complex, ii) mixing the sample from step i) with reagents, including a specific binding partner of the analyte for binding to the analyte, for performing a specific binding assay for the analyte, iii) and mixing the sample from step i) with a sequestrant for the detergent, whereby the binding of step ii) is performed in the presence of the sequestrant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system, suitable for automation, for the, preferably preparative, separation of amphoteric macromolecules, e.g. proteins or peptides, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) subjecting said mixture of macromolecules to isoelectric focusing in liquid media; (b) collecting samples from step (a), said samples containing macromolecules separated on basis of isoelectric point, and transferring each sample to a channel (13) accommodating medium for electrophoresis, said channel (13) being part of a composite body (14); (c) subjecting said samples, contained in the channels (13) in said composite body (14), to electrophoresis; and (d) allowing electrophoresis to proceed until macromolecules are eluted from said medium for electrophoresis, and collecting fractions of the samples containing macromolecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid supports (e.g., glass) and polymer hydrogels (particularly polymer hydrogel arrays present on a solid support) comprising one or more reactive sites for the attachment of biomolecules, as well as biomolecules comprising one or more reactive sites for attachment to solid supports and polymer hydrogels. The invention further provides novel compositions and methods for the preparation of biomolecules, solid supports, and polymer hydrogels comprising reactive sites. The invention also provides for preparation of crosslinked solid supports, polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel arrays, wherein one or more biomolecules is attached by means of the reactive sites in a photocycloaddition reaction. Advantageously, according to the invention, crosslinking of the hydrogel and attachment of biomolecules can be done in a single step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrospray device and a method for heating a liquid in said electrospray device. The device comprising a liquid source (3), a mass analyser (5), and inlet plate (17) with an inlet orifice (19), liquid inlet means such as a capillary tube (9) having a spray tip (11) for emitting liquid from said liquid source (3) and it further comprises microwave energy emitting means (21) between said spray tip (11) and said mass analyser (5) for heating said liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring images of biological samples and analyzing contrast features are provided. The present invention may determine whether a contrast feature in a image of a biological example qualifies as a grain (textural feature of interest). The size, intensity of contrast features, or other parameters may be tuned to find contrast features that correspond to features having significance in a given application. In addition, the total number of grains per image, the number of grains per sample, the number of grains per unit area, the area fraction occupied by grains, the ratio of intensity of grains to the intensity of the image, or other suitable characteristics may be determined.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel compounds of the formula Wherein Q is H or a sugar or a sugar analogue or a nucleic acid backbone or backbone analogue, Y=O, S, NR10, where R10 is H, alkyl alkenyl, alkynyl, X is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl or a combination thereof or, preferably, a reporter group. The novel compounds are suitable for incorporation in oligonucleotides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: [2+2] photo-attachable functional groups were incorporated in polyacrylamide based hydrogels and synthetic oligonucleotide probes. The probes were photochemically attached by covalent bonding to the three dimensional surface of a hydrogel.

Abstract: A storage stable composition comprising a carrier usable for the immobilization of compounds containing an amine group, for instance biomolecules and/or affinity ligands. The carrier has been activated to exhibit a squaric acid derivative linked to the carrier and is placed in contact with an aqueous medium. A kit comprising the storage stable composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for separating a target substance, for example, metal ion, drug or biological component is provided. According to the method, the surface of a packing undergoes a chemical or physical environmental change under a physical stimulus so that the interaction of a substance interacting with the target substance is reversibly changed in an aqueous solution, thus effecting separation.

Abstract: A matrix including: a) a polymeric base matrix including macropores (pore system 1) and b) an interior material, possibly porous (pore system 2), retained within the macropores. The matrix is characterized in that there is a continuous free volume between the interior material and the pore walls of the macropores. A method for manufacturing a matrix including a base matrix having macropores in which an interior material is located. The method is characterized in including the steps: (I) providing a base matrix having macropores; (ii) filling the macropores with a soluble form of the interior material; (iii) transforming the insoluble from to an insoluble form; (iv) shrinking the insoluble form; and (v) irreversibly stabilizing the material in its shrunken form. The matrix can be used in separation methods, cell culturing, solid phase synthesis of organic molecules, and in catalytic reactions (such as enzyme reactions) and other uses in which porous support matrices are used.

Abstract: A substrate with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate, and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.

Abstract: A method for removing a serum albumin from a mixture of other compounds by contacting said mixture with a ligand a) having affinity for and enabling selective binding of the serum albumin and b) being attached to a base matrix insoluble in the aqueous media used or being possible to attach to such a matrix after having become bound to the serum albumin, characterized in that said ligand is derived from an albumin binding bacterial cell surface receptor and that the ligand lacks the IgG-binding and/or &agr;2-macroglobulin-binding ability found in native forms of these type of bacterial receptors. An albumin-binding ligand derived from a cell surface bacterial receptor and attached covalently to a carrier matrix, characterized in that the ligand is monovalent with respect to ability to bind a serum albumin. A method for removal of serum albumin from a sample that is to be assayed for non-serum albumin components.

Abstract: This application discloses liquid chromatographic system including units selected from: a) a block (4) for distributing a liquid flow to a vessel (8), the characteristics being that there are through passing channels (7) comprising a narrow part (7a) and a widening part (7b), optionally with one check valve function per channel; b) a predistributor comprising a network of pipes starting at a pump (1), the characteristics being that the branches are narrowing down when going from the pump to the end pipes (3), and that each end pipes (3) have constriction means (19) providing for a significant pressure drop; c) a distributor with a distributor chamber (9) having an inlet pipe (11) equipped with sprinkler means (20); d) a tiltable chromatographic vessel (8) having a valve (15, 42) in its top and being possible to tilt 180° thereby facilitating emptying through the valve; the individual subunits and their use are also claimed.

Abstract: Spillage of liquid during switching of receptacles in a fraction collector is avoided by introducing a device in the flow path between an inlet tube and a dispensing means. The device includes an expandable chamber that accommodates liquid during the time interval for switching from one receptacle to the next receptacle.

Abstract: A process for the production of a porous cross-linked polysaccharide gel and a gel obtainable by the following steps: a) preparing a solution or dispersion of the polysaccharide; b) adding a bifunctional cross-linking agent having one active site and one inactive site to the solution or dispersion from step a); c) reacting hydroxylgroups of the polysaccharide with the active site of the cross-linking agent; d) forming a polysaccharide gel; e) activating the inactive site of the cross-linking agent; f) reacting the activated site from step e) with hydroxylgroups of the polysaccharide gel, whereby cross-linking of the gel takes place. The cross-linked polysaccharide gel obtained can further be cross-linked by conventional methods, one or several times.