Abstract: A Method for identifying one or a small number of molecules, especially in a dilution of ≦1 &mgr;M, using laser excited FCS with measuring times ≦500 ms and short diffusion paths of the molecules to be analyzed, wherein the measurement is performed in small volume units of preferably ≦10−14 l, by determining material-specific parameters which are determined by luminescence measurements of molecules to be examined.

Abstract: A method for the determination of material-specific parameters of one or a few molecules by means of correlation spectroscopy wherein the molecule or molecules in a sample in which the molecule(s) to be determined is (are) present in relatively high concentrations is (are) excited by electromagnetic radiation (excitation radiation) to emit electromagnetic radiation (emission radiation) wherein said excitation and/or emission radiation passes a means which is permeable to the corresponding wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation which means is disposed between an excitation or emission radiation source and an excitation or emission radiation detector, said means for transmitting electromagnetic waves having at least one region the largest dimension of which in at least one direction of space is smaller than the wavelength of said excitation and/or emission radiation of said molecule or molecules.

Abstract: A process for the qualitative and quantitative determination of at least one in vitro amplified nucleic acid in a sealed reaction chamber,wherein during or subsequent to the amplification of the nucleic acid at least one substance (probe) is present which interacts with the nucleic acid to be detected;wherein spectroscopically measurable parameters of said substance (probe) are subject to variation, creating a measurable signal;wherein the sample to be measured is exposed to the action of a gradient capable of at least partially denaturing nucleic acids;with detection of the measurable parameter undergoing variation through the action of the gradient; andthe entire amplification reaction, including qualitative and quantitative determination, may be carried out in a sealed reaction chamber (measuring compartment) without intermittent opening,permitting to automatically operate the diagnostic method of DNA and RNA amplification in qualitative and quantitative fashion on large series of samples.

Abstract: Described is a support material that can simultaneously bind both genotypic and phenotypic substances. The respective areas, which can have surface-modifying matter such as anionic exchangers and/or affinity ligands, simultaneously bind, for example, nucleic acids and proteins or peptides. The support materials described can be used in processes for evolutive optimization of biopolymers, wherein genotype and phenotype can be bound at the same time so as to furnish them for further analysis.

Abstract: The process of generating new biopolymers with improved characteristics, assisted by polymerases, is characterized in that at least one cycle of the steps described below, will be performed in a series of parallel preparations which are to be compared. Sequences of nucleic acids or, a mixture of similar sequences of nucleic acids in the distribution of mutants of a quasi-species, are subjected, in the region of the error threshold, to limited mutagenesis. These mixtures are replicated under simultaneous conditions and/or in succession. The mixtures of the so product nucleic acids are compartmentalized by segregation, and thereafter selected by a selection system which reflects the characteristics of interest of the nucleic acid sequence itself or, indirectly, via its translation product.