Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optically detecting at least one entity which is arranged on a substrate. The at least one entity is scanned with a measuring volume using at least one radiation source and a confocal optic. During a scanning process an auxiliary focus is generated by means of at least one second radiation source and a second optic. Radiation generated by the first radiation source is collimated by a first optic and radiation generated by the second radiation source is collimated by a second optic. A retroreflection from the auxiliary focus is detected by at least one detector and is used to measuring the position of an interface and, thus, for indirectly positioning the measuring volume. The position of the auxiliary focus relative to the measuring volume is adjustable in a defined manner.

Abstract: A process for instabilizing viral quasi-species-distributions under avoidance of resistance phenomena by replication of the nucleic acids of the viruses present in the quasi-species-distribution by of a defective replication system, a) whereby the defective replication system has a rate of misincorporation for nucleotides above the rate of misincorporation of the viral wild-type-replication system and, whereby the viruses are replicated by the replication system having the higher rate of misincorporation at least as effectively as it is done by the replication system of the wild-type virus, b) and/or negative influence of the replication of the consensus-sequence (nucleic acid sequence of the wild-type virus) in relation to other replicatable nucleic acids.

Abstract: To measure or exert optically-induced forces on at least one particle in the focus of an optical cage, the following steps are taken: a) the focus is positioned in a microelectrode arrangement with a three-dimensional electrical field that has a field gradient which forms an electrical capture area, and the focus is at a distance from the capture are and b) the amplitude of the electrical field, the light power of the light beam forming the optical cage, and/or the distance of the capture area from the focus are varied to detect which varied field property moves the particle from the focus to the capture area or vice versa, or at least to temporarily move the particle into the capture area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for characterizing samples having fluorescent particles, comprising the steps of: exciting particles in a measurement volume to emit fluorescence by a series of excitation pulses, monitoring the emitted fluorescence by detecting sequences of photon counts using a detector, determining numbers of photon counts in counting time intervals of given width, determining in the counting time intervals detection delay times of the photon counts relative to the corresponding excitation pulses, determining a function of the detection delay times, determining a probability function of at least two arguments, {circumflex over (P)}(n, t, . . . ), wherein at least one argument is the number of photon counts and another argument is the function of detection delay times, and determining from the probability function {circumflex over (P)}(n, t, . . .

Abstract: The invention relates to virus like particles, their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical screening and functional genomics. The invention further provides a variety of assay formats to be used with said virus like particles.

Abstract: An electrode configuration for field cages, especially in microsystems, comprises a large number of electrodes in which an electrical potential can be applied to each end region through a feed region. The end region is arranged to form the field cage and inhomogeneous shielding fields outside the field cage. To reduce thermal convection, the feed region has a strip form whose width is substantially smaller than characteristic dimensions of the end region.

Abstract: A method for identifying a nucleic acid which codes for a polypeptide factor affecting the covalent bonding of polypeptides to the surface of Gram-positive bacteria, comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A method for identifying a nucleic acid which codes for a polypeptide factor affecting the covalent bonding of polypeptides to the surface of Gram-positive bacteria, comprising the following steps: a) providing a sample of Gram-positive bacteria which can be genetically altered and contain or produce at least one enzymatic reporter substance which is or can become covalently bonded to the surface of the Gram-positive bacteria, said at least one reporter substance having a different enzymatic activity when not covalently bonded to the surface of the Gram-positive bacteria from that exhibited when it is covalently bonded to the surface of the Gram-positive bacteria; b) causing genetic alterations in Gram-positive bacteria of the sample; c) assaying the enzymatic activity of the reporter substance of the Gram-positive bacteria of the sample; d) separating Gram-positive bacteria which exhibit a different enzymatic activity of the reporter substance from that observed for covalent bonding of the reporter subst

Abstract: A method for characterizing samples having fluorescent particles, by monitoring fluctuating intensities of radiation emitted by said particles in at least one measurement volume, the monitoring being performed by at least one detection means, said method comprising the steps of: a) measuring in a repetitive mode a length of time intervals between photon counts, b) determining a function or a series of functions of the length of said time intervals, c) determining a function of at least one specific physical property of said particles on basis of said function or said series of functions of the length of time intervals, by finding a close fit between the experimentally determined and a theoretical function or series of functions of the length of said time intervals, the latter of which takes into account parameters of the spatial brightness function characteristic for the optical set-up.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a sample involves: a) monitoring the sample for intensity fluctuations of radiation emitted, scattered and/or reflected by units of the sample in at least one measurement volume with at least one detector which is able to detect radiation emitted, scattered and/or reflected by the units, b) determining from the intensity fluctuations intermediate statistical data of an at least two-dimensional joint statistical function, and c) determining information related to a joint distribution of the units out of the intermediate statistical data.

Abstract: A method for the diagnostic detection of diseases associated with protein depositions (pathological protein depositions) by measuring an association of substructures of the pathological protein depositions, structures forming pathological protein depositions, structures corresponding to pathological protein depositions and/or pathological protein depositions as a probe; to substructures of the pathological protein depositions structures forming pathological protein depositions, structures corresponding to pathological protein deposition and/or pathological protein depositions as targets; characterized in that the target is detected in liquid phase wherein, in the case of detecting Alzheimer's disease, the liquid phase is obtained from body fluids or is itself a body fluid; with the proviso that the association of the probe to the target is measured before self-aggregation of the probe predominates.

Abstract: A process for instabilizing viral quasi-species-distributions under avoidance of resistance phenomena by replication of the nucleic acids of the viruses present in the quasi-species-distribution by of a defective replication system, a) whereby the defective replication system has a rate of misincorporation for nucleotides above the rate of misincorporation of the viral wild-type-replication system and, whereby the viruses are replicated by the replication system having the higher rate of misincorporation at least as effectively as it is done by the replication system of the wild-type virus, b) and/or negative influence of the replication of the consensus-sequence (nucleic acid sequence of the wild-type virus) in relation to other replicatable nucleic acids.

Abstract: A confocal microscope for optical detection of an observation volume includes a light source, a dichroic mirror, and an objective lens arrangement which further includes a mechanical aperture and an observation optic arrangement. Between the dichroic mirror and the objective lens arrangement, a deflection mirror arrangement is located having a planar deflection mirror on the side of the objective which is arranged to oscillate about a normal position.

Abstract: A micromechanical ejection pump for extracting small fluid volumes from a flowing sample fluid is provided with a substrate, and a canal for pressurized working fluid. The micromechanical ejection pump also has a canal for ejecting a fluid volume from the sample fluid. The working fluid canal runs into the extension of the sample fluid canal discharging crosswise thereto. The ejection canal connected to the sample fluid canal branches off from the working fluid canal opposite to the sample fluid canal. The working fluid canal and the ejection canal have in particular a substantially similar cross-section of 0.01-0.12 mm2, wherein the ratio of the cross-section of the sample fluid canal to the cross-section of the working fluid canal or the ejection canal is preferably between 0.2 and 0.5, more particularly between 0.3 and 0.4 and most preferably 0.35.

Abstract: A method for differentiating or detecting particles in a sample in which several classes of particles may be present by identifying signal segments of time-resolved, optical raw signals from the sample on the basis of single photon detection (single pulse detection), wherein the sample contains at least two classes of particles; the sample is illuminated by a light source; the optical raw signals emitted by the sample, which are derived from at least one measuring volume element V, V≦10−12 l, are detected with at least one detector unit; at least one particle generates a signal fraction during its residence in the measuring in the measuring volume element; a signal segment of the optical raw signals is determined by the particle's actively and/or passively entering and then leaving again the measuring volume element; the optical raw signals are segmented into arbitrary segments; at least one set of statistical data based on the optical raw signals is established for at least one arbitrarily chos

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting reactions and conformational changes of analytes in a sample by coincidence analysis, as follows: the sample is marked with at least two different fluorescent dyes and then illuminated with at least one laser in order to stimulate the emission of fluorescence; the fluorescence signals are detected by at least two detection units and each signal is broken down into any simultaneous time segments with the desired time slot widths; the number of signals contained in at least one time segment and/or the time intervals between signals in the time segments are detected; a coincidence analysis of the data detected is carried out for at least one time segment of the first detection unit with at least one isochronous time segment of the second detection unit; statistics are produced showing the results of the coincidence analysis and/or the results are subjected to a threshold value analysis, and these statistics or a combination of more statistics are evaluated for the

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the specific labeling of a protein containing selenocyst(e)ine and/or cyst(e)ine groups, comprising the following steps:at least one incubation of a protein-containing sample with at least one modifying agent specific for selenocyst(e)ine and/or cyst(e)ine groups, followed byat least one further incubation of said protein-containing sample with at least one labeling agent specific for selenocyst(e)ine and/or cyst(e)ine groups;wherein at least one substance interacting with said protein is added prior to and/or during and/or after at least one of said incubations.

Abstract: A method for the labeling of molecules through the reaction of molecules to be labeled with labels at a solid phase (matrix), characterized in that the molecules enter a reaction chamber in which a matrix loaded with a reactive component is provided, and after the coupling has taken place, the labeled molecules leave the reaction chamber through a porous means.