Abstract: A human leucocyte elastase (HLE) inhibitor labelled with a detector moiety where the inhibitor is synthetic and has a molecular weight of less than 2000, is useful for the diagnostic imaging of sites of inflammation of infection in vivo, for labelling leucocytes in vitro, or for radiotherapy of rthritis. The HLE inhibitor is preferably a &bgr;-lactam or an azetidinone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of separating or distinguishing carbohydrate substances. More particularly the method includes using fluorescent labeling reagents which have a positive charge when bound to a carbohydrate, involves separating the labeled carbohydrate substances, such as by performing electrophoresis to cause differential migration of different labeled carbohydrate substances, or by isoelectric focusing in a pH gradient. The fluorescent labeling reagents are preferably cyanine dyes.

Abstract: A method for detecting an interaction between two proteins while eliminating false positive interactions, the method being particularly useful for application in the two-hybrid system and for the screening of libraries of unknown proteins. In a two-hybrid system employing the method, two different repoter genes having different promoters and two different DNA-binding domains which specifically bind to those promoters, are used.

Abstract: Methods of imaging and radiotherapy of hypoxic tissues are provided using radiometal complexes not substituted by a hypoxia-localizing moiety.

Abstract: Novel metal chelating compounds, and radiometal, e.g., technetium-99m complexes thereof. The compounds can be used to radiolabel small biologically active species with minimal effect on their biodistribution and activity. The compounds have formula (a) or (b): ##STR1## where Z is (CR.sub.2).sub.n or (CR).sub.n, n is 2 or 3, X is a ligand comprising S, N or O, each R is H or C1-C20 substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, provided that 1-3 CR.sub.2 groups represent a CO (amide) moiety, and provided that 1-3 R may each comprise a targeting group and/or a protein reactive functionality.

Abstract: A vessel, or an array of vessels, in the form of a multiwell plate, wherein the side walls are opaque and non-scintillant, and wherein the base comprises a scintillant substance, said base being formed of a plastics material which does not permit the attachment or growth of cells.

Abstract: Biological assay systems often involve suspending magnetically attractable particles in a liquid, and later bringing down the particles from suspension and separating the formed pellet from the supernatant liquid. The invention provides magnetic systems for this purpose, shaped to form an annular or part-annular pellet close to the bottom of the vessel. The systems are suitable for automation.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified two-hybrid systems, in particular a reverse two-hybrid system which employs as a reporter a gene encoding a modifying agent such as an enzyme, and a signal agent which is modified by the enzyme usually by being broken down, such that in the event of an inhibition of binding of the two hybrid proteins a detectable signal is produced. The system is particularly useful for drug screening.

Abstract: DNA constructs and vectors are provided for differential expression of proteins in different expression systems, to enable expression of a protein of interest alone or as part of a fusion protein without the need to transfer the coding sequence for the protein of interest from one vector to another.

Abstract: Biological assay systems often involve suspending magnetically attractable particles in a liquid, and later bringing down the particles from suspension and separating the formed pellet from the supernatant liquid. The invention provides magnetic systems for this purpose, shaped to form an annular or part-annular pellet close to the bottom of the vessel. The systems are suitable for automation.

Abstract: Phosphoramidite derivatives of formula (V), ##STR1## wherein X is biotin and Y is a protecting group. There may be a linker arm, of variable length, between X and the rest of the molecule. Examples of the protecting group Y include 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl, trifluoroacetyl and fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc). The phosphoramidite derivatives are useful in single or multiple labelling of synthetic oligonucleotides. Process for the preparation of these phosphoramidite derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for capturing a component present in a fluid is a pipette tip having a rearward end 15 adapted to be fitted on a micro-pipette, and a forward end 12 with a membrane 17, adapted to bind the component, extending across the pipette tip.

Abstract: A container suitable for use in the transportation of hazardous materials, for example radiolabelled material, has a base cup member (12) which is closed by a threaded lid (13). Within the cup member (12) a liner (17) is provided within an inner cavity (16). The liner (17) is suspended from an end flange (18) which is in engagement with the upper face of the rim of the cup member (12). The liner (17) has an annular shoulder (23) spaced from the end flange (18). The shoulder (23) is arranged so that it engages and thereby seals with the head (26) of a closure element (25). The closure element (25) also includes an engagement recess (31) to enable it to be removed from the liner (17). The container is usually mounted within a two-part inner casing (10a, 10b) which in turn is positioned within an outer casing (11a, 11b). With the container described hazardous materials even in liquid form may be stored and transported safely as desired without the need for bulky packaging.

Abstract: The invention provides as new compounds cis-xis-cis-tetrasubstituted cyclopentane compounds which are expected to be useful as chelating agents for alkaline earths, transition, lanthanide, and actinide metal ions. The compounds have Formula (I). Each of the groups X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3, and X.sup.4 comprises at least one potential ligand donor group, or one of the groups X or Z may comprise a group which may permit attachment to a biological active molecule or insoluble support.

Abstract: A method of assaying for CAT in a fluid involves the use of a complex of chloramphenicol with a member of a specific binding pair such as a hapten or biotin. Biotinylated chloramphenicol is claimed as new. A scintillation proximity assay involves use of this reagent with tritiated acetyl coenzyme A and streptavidin coated SPA beads.

Abstract: A method for forming and using an array of, e.g., bacteria, yeast or bacteriophage for the purpose of identifying particular constituents thereof. The array is formed by directing a stream of droplets, each containing on average about 1 or a few biological particles, at spaced locations in an array on a surface, e.g., a nylon membrane or agar gel.

Abstract: A method of preparing nucleic acids by obtaining an impure nucleic acid preparation, treating said preparation with phenol and adding a cyclodextrin to the treated preparation to neutralize the phenol.

Abstract: A conjugate comprises a linear or cyclic synthetic peptide of 3-50 amino acids linked via one of its carboxyl groups and optionally via a linking group, to a polydentate metal chelating group, with the result that endo- or exo-peptidase metabolism of the peptide is substantially inhibited, with the provisos that: a) the peptide chain contains a biological targeting sequence which is biologically active; b) when the spacer is absent the metal chelating group does not comprise solely peptide moieties; c) the metal chelating group does not contain thiol donors. A complex of the conjugate with a metal atom chelated by the metal chelating group is useful in medicine.

Abstract: A method is provided of making a dideoxynucleoside mono-or tri-phosphate, which is optionally 32-P or 33-P or 35-S radiolabelled which involves reacting the corresponding dideoxynucleoside with an optionally radiolabelled nucleotide phosphate or thiophosphate donor in the presence of a kinase of phosphotransferase enzyme which catalyses the reaction. A method of sequencing nucleic acids by a chain termination of a kinase or phosphotransferase enzyme which catalyses the reaction. A method of sequencing nucleic acids by a chain termination technique involves detecting the products of enzymatic synthesis by means of isotopically labelled chain terminating nucleotide analogues.

Abstract: Tetradentate ligands are used to form neutral 99m-technetium complexes which may be useful as radiopharmaceuticals e.g. as brain imaging agents. The ligands have the structure ##STR1## where n is 2 or 3, m is 0-4, R is H or substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, provided that one CR.sub.2 group adjacent the starred nitrogen atom represents CO and forms with the adjacent N atom, a --CONH-- amide group,Y is unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, and one of X and X' represents H or a labile thiol protecting group while the other is unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl.