Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent dyes based on acridine derivatives and use of such dyes, for example, in biochemical and/or cell based assays. A preferred feature of some of the dyes described is their long fluorescence lifetimes and their use to label biological molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent dyes based on acridine and acridinium derivatives and use of such dyes in for example, biochemical and/or cell-based assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of compounds useful for effecting purification, in particular for use in purification of synthetic peptides and proteins. The compounds of the invention are particularly efficient at securely anchoring peptides or proteins to a surface and allowing the peptide or protein to become uniformly orientated, thus ensuring that substantially all of the peptide or protein is available for molecular binding to a substrate.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with methods of assaying the activity of enzymes based on measurement of fluorescence lifetime (FLT). In particular, the invention relates to assays for enzymes which are capable of modifying the structure of peptide substrates, including for example enzymes catalysing methylation, demethylation, acetylation, deacetylation or deimination of peptide substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of compounds useful for effecting purification, in particular for use in purification of synthetic peptides and proteins. The compounds of the invention are particularly efficient at securely anchoring peptides or proteins to a surface and allowing the peptide or protein to become uniformly orientated, thus ensuring that substantially all of the peptide or protein is available for molecular binding to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of site specific labelling of an interferon molecule is provided. The method comprises the steps: a) providing a label molecule comprising a PEG moiety having an aldehyde or ketone moiety; b) providing an interferon molecule having a C terminal hydrazide moiety; and c) allowing the aldehyde or ketone moiety of the PEG moiety to react with the C terminal hydrazide of the interferon molecule to form a labelled interferon molecule, which comprises a PEG moiety attached to the C terminus of the interferon molecule via a hydrazone bond. Interferon molecules labelled using such a method are also described.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a given peptide or its derivative which contains a proline residue or a proline derivative, at proximity to, or at, the C-terminal end of said peptide is provided. The method comprises a) synthesizing on a first resin a C-terminal portion of said peptide, or its derivative, comprising at least three successive amino acid residues or their derivatives, by successive coupling of selected amino acids, small peptides or their derivatives; b) cleaving the C-terminal portion from said first resin; c) reattaching said C-terminal portion to a second resin which is generally suitable for the synthesis of peptides but is unsuitable for the formation of peptides having a proline residue positioned at the C-terminal end of said peptide; and d) coupling selected amino acids, small peptides or derivatives to the C-terminal portion.

Abstract: A method of ligating two or more molecules, for example, peptides to peptides or peptides to labels is provided. The method may comprise the steps: a) providing a first oligopeptide having a reactive moiety, which is a hydrazine moiety, a hydrazide moiety or an amino-óxy moiety b) providing a second oligopeptide having an activated ester moiety, c)allowing the reactive moiety of the first oligopeptide to react with the activated ester moiety of the second oligopeptide to form an oligopeptide product, in which the first and second oligopeptides are linked via a linking moiety having Formula I, II or III. The second oligopeptide may preferably be generated by thiol reagent induced cleavage of an intein fusion protein. The invention further provides labelling and ligation methods in which protein hydrazides are ligated by reaction of the hydrazide moiety with an aldehyde functionality or a ketone functionality.