Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the presence of a difference between two related nucleic acid sequences. In the method a complex is formed comprising both strands of each sequence. Each member of at least one pair of non-complementary strands within the complex have labels. The association of the labels as part of the complex is determined as an indication of the presence of a difference between the two related sequences. The complex generally comprises a Holliday junction. In one aspect a medium suspected of containing said two related nucleic acid sequences is treated to provide partial duplexes having non-complementary tailed portions at one end. The double stranded portions of the partial duplexes are identical except for said difference.

Abstract: Nortriptyline functionalized compounds are provided for conjugation to antigenic compositions, particularly poly(amino acids), and enzymes. The antigenic conjugates are employed for the production of antibodies, which find use in immunoassays for the determination of nortriptyline in a sample, while the enzyme conjugates find use in an enzyme assay for the determination of nortriptyline in a sample.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent acridinium derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 represents a radical of the formula II or III ##STR2## and A.sup..theta., X--, R.sup.1 -R.sup.3, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 have the stated meanings, as well as processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I) and the use thereof in chemiluminescence immunoassays.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises providing (1) combining a medium suspected of containing the analyte and a novel chemiluminescent compound, (2) combining a means for chemically activating the chemiluminescent compound; and (3) detecting the amount of luminescence generated by the chemiluminescent compound. The amount of luminescence generated is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. The chemiluminescent compound can be chemically activated by hydrogen peroxide. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel activated peptides and conjugates thereof, useful in diagnostic assays and therapeutics, and processes for the preparation thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte which is a specific binding pair member in a sample suspected of containing the analyte is described. The method involves: bringing together in an aqueous medium, the sample, an enzyme bound to a first specific binding pair member and an inhibitor for the enzyme bound to a second specific binding pair member wherein each specific binding pair member is capable of binding to the analyte or to a specific binding pair member complementary to the analyte; analyzing the medium for the activity of said enzyme; and relating the activity to the amount of analyte present in the medium. Compositions of matter and kits are also described.

Abstract: Antibodies which are specific for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus, Saccharomyces paradoxus and Saccharomyces pastorianus, and epitopes to which such antibodies bind are described. Diagnostic agents and assays for detecting Saccharomyces sensu strictu and epitopes of Saccharomyces sensu strictu also are described.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises providing (1) combining a medium suspected of containing the analyte and a novel chemiluminescent compound, (2) combining a means for chemically activating the chemiluminescent compound; and (3) detecting the amount of luminescence generated by the chemiluminescent compound. The amount of luminescence generated is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. The chemiluminescent compound can be chemically activated by hydrogen peroxide. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds that are modified polysaccharides having pendant aldehyde functionalities are disclosed. Each of the aldehyde functionalities is attached through a linker to a position corresponding to a hydrogen atom of a different hydroxyl group of unmodified polysaccharide. Also disclosed is a method for introducing an amine-reactive functionality into a dextran. The method comprises (a) reacting the dextran with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with an hydroxyl group of the dextran thereby forming an alkylated dextran wherein the alkylating agent has an olefin group and (b) treating the alkylated dextran to convert the olefin group to an amine-reactive functionality. A polysaccharide can be conjugated to a biomolecule by carrying out the above method and reacting the amine-reactive functionality with an amine functionality on the biomolecule to produce polysaccharide conjugated to the biomolecule.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte which is a specific binding pair member in a sample suspected of containing the analyte is described. The method involves: bringing together in an aqueous medium, the sample, an enzyme bound to a first specific binding pair member and an inhibitor for the enzyme bound to a second specific binding pair member wherein each specific binding pair member is capable of binding to the analyte or to a specific binding pair member complementary to the analyte; analyzing the medium for the activity of said enzyme; and relating the activity to the amount of analyte present in the medium. Compositions of matter and kits are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a target polynucleotide sequence. The method comprises incubating an oligonucleotide with the target polynucleotide sequence and a nucleotide polymerase under isothermal conditions wherein at least one nucleotide is added to the 3'-terminus of the oligonucleotide to provide an extended oligonucleotide having the additional nucleotides. The presence of extended oligonucleotide is detected as an indication of the presence of the target polynucleotide sequence. The method has particular application to the detection of DNA.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a method using a reporter dehydrogenase for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample in which endogenous dehydrogenases present in the sample interfere with the detection of the analyte. The improvement is the inclusion of an inhibitor of the endogenous dehydrogenase in the assay medium. The improvement finds particular utility in the measurement of ethyl alcohol using alcohol dehydrogenase as the reporter enzyme when lactate and lactate dehydrogenase present in the sample interfere with the detection of the analyte. Particulary effective inhibitors which prevent this interference are fatty acids, such as, agaric acid and lauric acid, and alkyl sulfate salts, such as, sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium decyl sulfate.

Abstract: Immunologically active peptides which are derived from a novel immunodeficiency virus which has the designation MVP5180/91 are described. A diagnostic composition containing such a peptide and methods of detecting an antibody against a retrovirus that causes immune deficiency using such diagnostic composition are also described. A kit containing the immunologically active peptides is also described. An immunogen and method of immunizing a mammal against HIV infection using the immunologically active peptides is described. DNA encoding the peptides and methods of detecting nucleic acids encoding HIV viruses are also described.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising (a) a metal chelate wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of europium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium osmium and ruthenium in at least a hexacoordinated state and (b) a compound having a double bond substituted with two aryl groups, an oxygen atom and an atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen wherein one of the aryl groups is electron donating with respect to the other. Such composition is preferably incorporated in a latex particulate material. Methods and kits are also disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. The methods and kits employ as one component a composition as described above.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying an oligonucleotide, which method has application to the detection of a polynucleotide analyte. An oligonucleotide is reversibly hybridized with a polynucleotide, for example, a polynucleotide analyte, in the presence of a 5'-nuclease under isothermal conditions. The polynucleotide analyte serves as a recognition element to enable a 5'-nuclease to cleave the oligonucleotide to provide (i) a first fragment that is substantially non-hybridizable to the polynucleotide analyte and (ii) a second fragment that lies 3' of the first fragment (in the intact oligonucleotide) and is substantially hybridizable to the polynucleotide analyte. At least a 100-fold molar excess of the first fragment and/or the second fragment are obtained relative to the molar amount of the polynucleotide analyte. The presence of the first fragment and/or the second fragment is detected, the presence thereof indicating the presence of the polynucleotide analyte.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for separating a component of interest from a mixture containing the component of interest and other components. The method comprises contacting a first liquid medium containing the component of interest and other components with a second liquid medium that is of different density than and/or of different viscosity than the first liquid medium. The contact is carried out in such a way that mixing of the media is minimized or avoided. The component of interest is bound to magnetic particles. The contacted first liquid medium and second liquid medium are subjected to a magnetic field gradient to allow the magnetic particles to migrate into the second liquid medium and separation of the component of interest from other components is realized. Also disclosed are assays employing the present method. Kits for carrying out the present method and assays are also disclosed.