Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a method for detecting an adulterant in a biological sample. A combination of a biological sample, an agent for detecting the adulterant and an ionic moiety capable of undergoing reduction by gaining electrons is provided in an assay medium. The combination is incubated under conditions sufficient for the ionic moiety to undergo reduction and for the agent for detecting the adulterant to interact with the adulterant. The reduction of the ionic moiety enhances the detection of the adulterant as a result of increasing the sensitivity of the agent for detecting the adulterant. The extent of interaction between the agent for detecting the adulterant and the adulterant is measured and is related to the presence or absence of the adulterant in the biological sample.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as signal generation components of an immunoassay, and methods for their use. According to one aspect of the invention, the composition includes a carrier having a coating of an aminodextran and a metal chelate incorporated therein. The metal chelate is present in the amount of at least 0.065 ?Mole per gram of carrier, and the aminodextran coating density averaging at least about 45 ?g per milligram of carrier. In another aspect of the invention, carrier is dyed with a complex having the formula: M(L1)x(L2)y, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of europium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium, osmium and ruthenium; L1 is a ligand selected from the group consisting of DPP, TOPO, TPPO; L2 comprises a ligand having the formula wherein R is one or more substituents, each substituent comprising an electron donating group; n=2-10; x=1-2; and y=2-4.

Abstract: A composition and kit useful as a tacrolimus standard solution for immunoassays, and methods for making and using same. The composition and kits include a known amount of tacrolimus or a derivative thereof, and a non-specific protein capable of forming a complex with the tacrolimus or derivative thereof. The standard solution may be used to generate calibration curves for an immunoassay or to check the precision of an analytical instrument.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining minute quantities of an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises treating a medium suspected of containing an analyte under conditions such that the analyte, if present, causes a substrate having an oxidant cleavable linker and a photosensitizer to come into close proximity. The photosensitizer generates singlet oxygen which oxidatively cleaves the linker to form a product which can be detected in a sandwich detection assay such as LOCI. The amount of product detected is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. Compositions, kits, and compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for reducing non-specific binding in a binding assay for the determination of an analyte in a sample where one of the reagents for conducting the binding assay comprises a solid support comprising a polysaccharide. The method comprises including in an assay medium for conducting the binding assay a soluble compound comprising a protein linked to a polysaccharide. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The methods include as reagents a solid support comprising a polysaccharide and a soluble compound comprising a protein linked to a polysaccharide.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a method for conjugating a first compound to a second compound wherein the conjugation involves an electrophilic moiety. The method comprises reacting the first compound with the second compound to form a conjugate. The improvement in embodiments of the present invention comprises adding a nucleophilic reagent to the conjugate wherein the nucleophilic reagent forms a neutral product upon reaction with unreacted electrophilic moieties of the conjugate. In some embodiments, the nucleophilic reagent is substantially non-reactive with disulfide bonds in the event that the conjugate comprises disulfide bonds. The conjugate formed is doubly deactivated because the other moiety for linking to the electrophilic moiety is also deactivated.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed comprising a moiety, such as a poly(amino acid), a non-poly(amino acid) label moiety, or a non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carrier, linked to a sirolimus compound at position 26 or at position 32. Such sirolimus compounds comprising an immunogenic carrier can be employed to raise both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the sirolimus compound. Polyclonal antibodies are also disclosed, which are raised against a compound wherein a moiety, such as a poly(amino acid), a non-poly(amino acid) label moiety, or a non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carrier, is linked to a sirolimus compound at position 32. The above antibodies and sirolimus compounds comprising a label can be used in assays for the detection of sirolimus compounds.

Abstract: A polysaccharide coated carrier having a coating of at least two successive layers of polysaccharide. The first polysaccharide layer spontaneously associates with a second polysaccharide layer and, optionally, the carrier. Each successive layer of polysaccharide spontaneously associates with a preceding layer. Spontaneous association occurs due to the presence of oppositely charged functional groups on each layer of polysaccharide or due to a spontaneous reaction between the functional groups the layers. The carrier may be any surface such as a tube, microtitration plate, bead, particle or the like and is suitable for use in diagnostic or therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for reducing non-specific binding in a binding assay for the determination of an analyte in a sample where one of the reagents for conducting the binding assay comprises a solid support comprising a polysaccharide. The method comprises including in an assay medium for conducting the binding assay a soluble compound comprising a protein linked to a polysaccharide. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The methods include as reagents a solid support comprising a polysaccharide and a soluble compound comprising a protein linked to a polysaccharide.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compounds disclosed comprise an amphetamine moiety and a methamphetamine moiety linked together by a first linking group. A second linking group depends from the first linking group and comprises a functional group. The distance of the amphetamine moiety and the methamphetamine moiety from the point of linkage of the second linking group to the first linking group is approximately the same. The compounds may be linked to labels and used in assays for the detection of amphetamine and/or methamphetamine in samples suspected of containing these drugs.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of one or more analytes in a sample suspected of containing any one of a plurality of the analytes. A combination is provided comprising in a medium (i) the sample, (ii) a binding partner for each of the analytes, (iii) for each of the analytes, a first reagent comprising a member of a signal producing system, a ligand and an analyte analog, and (iv) a second reagent comprising a binding partner for the ligand. The binding of the binding partner for the ligand is affected by the presence of an analyte and alters the amount of signal produced by the member of the signal producing system. The signal thus is modulated if one or more of the analytes are present in the sample. The amount of the signal is determined and is related to the presence of one or more of the analytes in the sample. The method may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. Enzyme conjugates of Formula I may be employed in assays for the determination of an amphetamine and/or a methamphetamine. Immunogenic conjugates of Formula I may be employed to prepare antibodies for an amphetamine and/or for a methamphetamine for use in assays for the determination of an amphetamine and/or a methamphetamine. The enzyme conjugates may also be employed to screen antibodies for use in such methods.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of one or more analytes in a sample suspected of containing any one of a plurality of the analytes. A combination is provided comprising in a medium (i) the sample, (ii) a binding partner for each of the analytes, (iii) for each of the analytes, a first reagent comprising a member of a signal producing system, a ligand and an analyte analog, and (iv) a second reagent comprising a binding partner for the ligand. The binding of the binding partner for the ligand is affected by the presence of an analyte and alters the amount of signal produced by the member of the signal producing system. The signal thus is modulated if one or more of the analytes are present in the sample. The amount of the signal is determined and is related to the presence of one or more of the analytes in the sample. The method may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compositions are light emitting and comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein a photoactive compound. The composition has the characteristic that, after activation of the photoactive compound, the rate of decrease in the intensity of light emission at any time during a 20-fold decrease in the intensity is proportional to the intensity of the light emission. In one embodiment the polymeric matrix is comprised of particles of about 20 nm to about 100 ?m in diameter to which is bound a specific binding pair member. The particles generally comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein about 1 to about 20% by weight of a dopant. The compositions may be used in methods for determining an analyte. A combination is provided comprising (1) a medium suspected of containing the analyte, (2) and the aforementioned composition. The photoactive substance is activated and the effect of the activating on the optical properties of the combination is detected.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. Enzyme conjugates of Formula I are employed in assays for the determination of an methylenedioxyamphetamine, a methylene-dioxyethamphetamine, and/or a methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Immunogenic conjugates of Formula I are employed to prepare antibodies for an methylenedioxyamphetamine, a methylenedioxyethamphetamine, and/or for a methylene-dioxymethamphetamine for use in assays for the determination of an methylenedioxyamphetamine, a methylenedioxyethamphetamine, and/or a methylene-dioxymethamphetamine. The enzyme conjugates may also be employed to screen antibodies for use in such methods.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of entactogen analytes such as, for example, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-methamphetamine (HMMA). The method comprises providing in combination in a medium (i) a sample suspected of containing the compound and (ii) an antibody raised against a compound of Formula I that comprises a protein. The medium is examined for the presence a complex comprising the compound and the antibody where the presence of such as complex indicates the presence of the compound in the sample. In one aspect of the above embodiment, the combination further comprises a label conjugate of the compound Formula I.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The methods are directed to determining the presence of one or more analytes in a sample suspected of containing any one of a plurality of the analytes. A combination is provided comprising in a medium (i) the sample, (ii) a binding partner for each of the analytes, (iii) for each of the analytes, a first reagent comprising a member of a signal producing system, a ligand and an analyte analog, and (iv) a second reagent comprising a binding partner for the ligand. The binding of the binding partner for the ligand is affected by the presence of an analyte and alters the amount of signal produced by the member of the signal producing system. The signal thus is modulated if one or more of the analytes are present in the sample. The amount of the signal is determined and is related to the presence of one or more of the analytes in the sample. The method may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compositions are light emitting and comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein a photoactive compound. The composition has the characteristic that, after activation of the photoactive compound, the rate of decrease in the intensity of light emission at any time during a 20-fold decrease in the intensity is proportional to the intensity of the light emission. In one embodiment the polymeric matrix is comprised of particles of about 20 nm to about 100 &mgr;m in diameter to which is bound a specific binding pair member. The particles generally comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein about 1 to about 20% by weight of a dopant. The compositions may be used in methods for determining an analyte. A combination is provided comprising (1) a medium suspected of containing the analyte, (2) and the aforementioned composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a synthetic construct comprising a linear core chain having two or more side chains pending directly from different points on the linear core chain. Each of the side chains comprises an epitopic site of an antigen or a peptide. The synthetic constructs are monomeric units that can be linked together or polymerized to form a polymer. In this embodiment the epitopic sites of the side chains may be the same or different. The linear core chain may be a linear sequence of amino acids having two or more of the same peptide pending directly from different points on the linear sequence. Another aspect of the present invention concerns a support having one or more of the above synthetic constructs or polymers coupled thereto. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to antibodies raised against the above synthetic constructs or polymers. The antibodies can be purified using the above mentioned supports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for immunoassay of analytes employing mutant glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) enzymes as labels. In particular, the invention relates-to the use of conjugates of an analyte or analyte analog and a mutant NAD+ dependent G6PDH differing from any precursor G6PDH by the deletion, substitution, or insertion, or any combination thereof of at least one amino acid per subunit. The invention also involves the construction of several mutations in precursor glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) enzymes. Typically, the mutations involve deletion or substitution of one or more lysine residues, or introduction of one or more cysteine residues by insertion of cysteine to precursor G6PDH or substitution of precursor G6PDH amino acids residues with cysteine.