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: Process for the preparation of contrast agents The invention provides a process for the preparation of an N-alkyl-acylamino-phenyl-carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative by liquid phase acylation and subsequent N-alkylation of a corresponding amino-phenyl-carboxylic acid (or carboxylic acid derivative), the improvement comprising the addition of an alkylating agent to a solution containing the reaction products of said acylation, to effect said N-alkylation.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V—L—R, where V is a vector moiety having affinity for an angiogenesis-related endothelias cell receptor, L is a linker moiety or a bond and R is a detectable moiety, characterized in that V is a non-peptidic organic group, or V is peptidic and R is a macromolecular or particulate species providing a multiplicity of labels detectable in in vivo imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of contrast agent drug candidate selection which involves: (i) obtaining a combinatorial library comprising an admixture of potential contrast agent drug candidates each incorporating a reporter moiety which is detectable in the animate human or non-human animal body (e.g. mammalian, avian or reptilian body), said library comprising a plurality of said reporter moieties which are interdistinguishably detectable in said body; (ii) administering said library to an animate human or non-human animal body; (iii) identifying in vivo one or more of said reporter moieties which has a desired distribution and/or elimination pattern in said body and thereby identifying a member of said library which has said pattern site or a sub-set of said library which contains a member of said library which has said pattern.

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: 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: Nucleoside analogues or base analogues having structure (I), where X=O or NH or S, Y=N or CHR6 or CR6, W=N or NR6 or CHR6 or CR6 or S, n=1 or 2; each R6 is independently H or O or alkyl or alkenyl or alkoxy or aryl or a reporter moiety; where necessary (i.e. when Y and/or W is N or CR6 where R6 is not O) a double bond is present between Y and W or W and W, and Q is H or a sugar or a sugar analogue or a nucleic acid backbone or backbone analogue.

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.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gel strip carrier module for a gel strip that reduces the handling of the gel strip and the hands-on-time during preparation of the gel strip for isoelectric focusing. The gel carrier module includes a gel strip chamber that serves as both a rehydration and focusing chamber, and allows the sample to be applied either throughout the entire gel or in a defined zone. The gel carrier module includes a pair of electrodes near opposite ends of the chamber that the gel strip rests on, gel side facing down. The gel carrier module includes a cover with hold-down blocks or pressure blocks to assure reliable, light contact between the gel and the electrodes during focusing. A rehydration buffer is added into the chamber, and the gel strip is gently placed in the chamber, gel side down, for rehydration.

Abstract: Nucleoside analogues have structure (2) wherein Q is H or a sugar moiety or sugar analogue or a modified sugar or a nucleic backbone or backbone analogue, W is an alkylene or alkenylene chain of 0-5 carbon atoms, any of which may carry a substituent R8, X is O or N or NR12 or CR10, X′ is O or S or N, provided that when X′ is O or S, then X is C, Y is CH or N, R6 is NH2 or SMe or SO2Me or NHNH2, each of R7 and R8 is independently H or F or alkyl or alkenyl or aryl or acyl or a reporter moiety, R12 is independently H or alkyl or alkenyl or aryl or acyl or a reporter moiety, and R10 is H or ═O or F or alkyl or aryl or a reporter moiety.

Abstract: A method for the immobilization of a radioactive anion on the surface of a metal substrate, said method comprising treating the substrate with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a solution of a radioactive anion which forms an insoluble salt with ions of said metal. Preferably, a binding agent will also be present. Preferably, the metal is silver, the radioactive anion is 125I− and the binding agent comprises bromide ions.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging using gas microbubble-containing contrast agents may be performed in the recirculating phase following admixture of the contrast agent with the blood pool, thereby prolonging the useful imaging time window compared to that conventionally obtained during the backscatter signal peak resulting from first pass of a contrast agent bolus. The length of the time window may further be increased by imaging at ultrasound frequencies of 2 MHz or less, particularly by harmonic imaging at transmit frequencies less than the resonance frequencies of the gas microbubbles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for performing biological reactions on a substrate layer having a multiplicity of oligonucleotide binding sites disposed thereon. The invention provides a hybridization chamber wherein nucleic acid hybridization is performed by reacting biological material on a biochip comprising a substrate having an array of oligonucleotide binding sites. The binding sites are associated with an array of 3-dimensional polyacrylamide pads for anchoring the reactants. The arrays are covered with a flexible layer that permits mixing of the hybridization solution on the biochip and detection of hybridization in situ. Fluid inlet and outlet ports in the chamber provide for control of fluid flow into and out of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing porous polysaccharide beads, comprising: (a) mixing a water-based solution of a polysaccharide under stirring with an essentially water-immiscible first organic phase to form an emulsion which separates into two continuous phases; (b) adding a second organic phase comprising an emulsifier and an organic solvent to form a three-phase system; (c) allowing the three-phase system to emulsify; and (d) decreasing the temperature below the gelling point of the polysaccharide, thereby obtaining beads having two sets of pores, said method being characterised in that the emulsifier is a water-insoluble polymer capable of stabilizing said three-phase system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatography column 1 in which the net 129 and/or bed support 131 is integrally joined to a net retaining means, preferably a sleeve 135 that protrudes through the column end plate 5, and/or to a net retaining circumferential ring. Different net retaining means are also presented.

Abstract: A matrix is disclosed including a core showing a system of micropores and a surface in which the micropore system has openings. The characterizing feature is that the surface is coated with a polymer (I) having such a large molecular weight that it cannot penetrate into the micropores.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) reacting para-hydrogen enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor containing a non-hydrogen non-zero nuclear spin nucleus to produce a hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (ii) administering said hydrogenated MR imaging agent to said sample; (iii) exposing said sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus from said sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from said detected signals.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample by (i) reacting ortho-deuterium enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor to produce a hydrogenated (i.e. deuterated) MR imaging agent; (ii) optionally, subjecting the hydrogenated MR imaging agent to a low magnetic field;(iii) administering the hydrogenated MR imaging agent to the sample; (iv) exposing the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of selected non-zero nuclear spin nuclei in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of the selected non-zero nuclear spin nuclei from the sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from the detected signals.

Abstract: A method of comparing genomic DNA from two individuals who share a phenotype, cutting the DNA into fragments long enough to contain on average one or several polymorphisms; combining the fragments under hybridisation conditions and recovering mismatch—free heterohybrids, wherein adapters resistant to nuclease digestion are ligated to the ends of the genomic fragments. A related method uses pooled genomic DNA from individuals with a common phenotype. Another related method uses restricted nucleic acid fragments likely to contain on average less than one natural polymorphism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an improved apparatus for removing gas bubbles from a reaction chamber comprising a flexible layer removably affixed to a substrate layer having a multiplicity of oligonucleotide binding sites disposed thereon, in which biological reactions are performed. The invention specifically relates to methods and apparatus for removing gas bubbles from a reaction chamber wherein target molecules contained in a sample fluid are reacted with probe molecules immobilized on a substrate having an array of oligonucleotide binding sites. The arrays are covered with a flexible, gas permeable layer that permits mixing of the sample fluid on the biochip and removal of gas bubbles from the fluid by use of a means for facilitating diffusion of gas bubbles across the flexible, gas permeable layer.