Abstract: Autoantibodies which enhance the rate of a chemical reaction of a substrate, processes for their preparation, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an autoantibody capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues Thr.sup.7 -Asp.sup.8, Arg.sup.14 -Lys.sup.15, Gln.sup.16 -Met.sup.17, Met.sup.17 -Ala.sup.18, Ala.sup.18 -Val.sup.19, Lys.sub.20 -Lys.sup.21, Lys.sup.21 -Tyr.sup.22 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is disclosed.

Abstract: Autoantibodies which enhance the rate of a chemical reaction of a substrate, processes for their preparation, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an autoantibody capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is disclosed. Human anti-thyroglobulin antibodies isolated by chromatography on protein-A and immobilized Tg hydrolyzed radiolabeled Tg, as shown by generation of several lower-sized products on SDS-electrophoresis gels. The activity displayed a K.sub.m value of a 39 nM property typical of an antibody-combining site. Tg-antibodies also hydrolyzed commercially available peptidyl-methylcoumarinamide (MCA) substrates, displaying a preference for arg-MCA and lys-MCA containing conjugates. The hydrolysis of pro-phe-arg-MCA was characterized by K.sub.m (17 .mu.M) and k.sub.cat 0.06 min.sup.-1. Peptidyl-MCA hydrolysis was inhibited potently by thyroglobulin (K.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel amidine components of formula (II): ##STR1## A method for eliciting antibodies in an animal which bind to Lipid A or LPS comprising administering to the animal as an immunogen a composition comprising such a compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new electrochemiluminescent (ECL) label for oligonucleotides using phosphoramidite chemistry.

Abstract: Electrochemiluminescent moieties having the formula(Re(P).sub.m (L.sup.1).sub.n (L.sup.2).sub.o (L.sup.3).sub.p (L.sup.4).sub.t (B).sub.uwhereinP is a polydentate ligand of Re;L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3 and L.sup.4 are ligands of Re, each of which may be the same as or not the same as each other ligand;B is a substance which is a ligand of Re or is conjugated to one or more of P, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3 and L.sup.4 ;m is an integer equal to or greater than 1;each of n, o, p, q, r and s is zero or an integer;t is an integer equal to or greater than 1; andu is an integer equal to or greater than 1;P, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4 and B being of such composition and number that the chemical moiety can be induced to electrochemiluminesce and the total number of bonds to Re provided by the ligands of Re being equal to the coordination number of Re are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter useful for enhancing the viability of hybridomas in culture which comprises a partially purified, cell-free extract derived from a medium conditioned by mitogen-stimulated macrophages, the extract being substantially free of the macrophage stimulating mitogen which had been added to the medium, and having within it a component characterized by the ability to enhance the viability of hybridomas in culture, and by an apparent molecular weight in the range from about 35,000 to about 45,000. Also provided are methods of preparing the composition of matter, and methods for enhancing the viability of hybridomas in culture.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting measurements of electrochemiluminescence including a movable sample container support in the form of a carousel having a plurality of spaced apart support positions, an electrochemiluminescence testing device, a motor system to move the sample container support in a predetermined sequence, a sample transfer device to transfer sample from containers in the support positions to the testing device, and a detection system to detect the presence of a sample container and to produce an actuation signal based on the detected presence of the sample container.

Abstract: The rate of a biomolecular reaction, such as an enzymatic reaction or an affinity binding reaction, is measured using electrochemiluminescence ("ECL"). The reaction is conducted in an electrochemical cell with a mixture of reagents including a luminophore which will relate the concentration of a reactant, a reaction partner or the reaction product of a reaction partner to the ECL intensity. The reaction partner is a reagent which reacts with the reactant and which participates with the luminophore (or its reaction product participates with the luminophore) to cause the emission of ECL. The ECL intensity is modulated with a series of electrical pulses which are applied to the mixture of reagents at a preselected potential and for preselected intervals of time and duration. The ECL intensity is measured at the same intervals to provide a timed series of values (P).

Abstract: Process for producing an immunoproximity catalyst for a chemical reaction. Chemical reactions in which the immunoproximity catalyst can be used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical moiety is disclosed which comprises a chemical, biochemical, or biological substance attached to one or more electrochemiluminescent organometallic compounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the substance is attached to one or more ruthenium-containing or osmium-containing luminescent organometallic compounds. Methods are disclosed for detecting very small amounts of the chemical moiety using chemiluminescent, electrochemiluminescent, and photoluminescent means. Compounds are disclosed which are useful for labelling substances of interest with ruthenium-containing and osmium-containing labels or other electrochemiluminescent labels. These labelled substances are useful in methods provided for detecting and quantifying analytes of interest in binding assays and competitive binding assays. The labelled substances are of particular use in homogeneous binding assays.

Abstract: Process for producing an antibody catalyst for a chemical reaction. Chemical reactions in which the antibody catalyst can be used are also disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a catalytic monoclonal antibody able to cleave a polypeptide and in particular, a catalytic monoclonal antibody elicited by a ground state antigen is disclosed. Antigens include, among others, the polypeptide, a derivative of the polypeptide, a fragment of the polypeptide or any of these bound to a carrier molecule. Methods of making and using the catalytic monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interaction system, including an antibody or, antibody fragment having functional capability, which comprises a surfactant-stabilized microheterogeneous dispersion of aqueous phase in a water-immiscible medium, said aqueous phase containing an amount of said antibody or said fragment in a functional state sufficient to effect the interaction; and methods for making and for using said system.

Abstract: A chemical moiety is disclosed which comprises a chemical, biochemical, or biological substance attached to one or more electrochemiluminescent organometallic compounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the substance is attached to one or more ruthenium-containing or osmium-containing luminescent organometallic compounds. Methods are disclosed for detecting low concentrations of the chemical moiety using chemiluminescent, electrochemiluminescent, and photoluminescent means. Compounds are disclosed which are useful for labeling substances of interest with ruthenium-containing and osmium-containing labels or other electrochemiluminescent labels. These labeled substances are useful in methods provided for detecting and quantifying analytes of interest in binding assays and competitive binding assays. The labeled substances are of particular use in homogeneous binding assays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for triggering and measuring electrochemiluminescent phenomena using a voltage waveform applied at the voltammetric working electrode which improves the precision and accuracy of measurements. This waveform has a decreasing scan rate in the range of voltages for which electrochemiluminescence is triggered and is substantially sinusoidal in shape in this range. The waveform results from locating the reference electrode of a potentiostat in close potential proximity to its counter electrode, and applying a uniform scanning voltage waveform at the reference electrode. The waveform also can be synthesized digitally, converted to analog form, and applied directly to the working electrode with the reference electrode in close potential proximity to the working electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for triggering and measuring electrochemiluminescent phenomena using a voltage waveform applied at the voltammetric working electrode which improves the precision and accuracy of measurements. This waveform has a decreasing scan rate in the range of voltages for which electrochemiluminescence is triggered and is substantially sinusoidal in shape in this range. The waveform results from locating the reference electrode of a potentiostat in close potential proximity to its counter electrode, and applying a uniform scanning voltage waveform at the reference electrode. The waveform also can be synthesized digitally, converted to analog form, and applied directly to the working electrode with the reference electrode in close potential proximity to the working electrode.

Abstract: A chemical moiety is disclosed which comprises a chemical, biochemical, or biological substance attached to one or more electrochemiluminescent organometallic compounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the substance is attached to one or more ruthenium-containing or osmium-containing luminescent organometallic compounds. Methods are disclosed for detecting very small amounts of the chemical moiety using chemiluminescent, electrochemiluminescent, and photoluminescent means. Compounds are disclosed which are useful for labelling substances of interest with ruthenium-containing and osmium-containing labels or other electrochemiluminescent labels. These labelled substances are useful in methods provided for detecting and quantifying analytes of interest in binding assays and competitive binding assays. The labelled substances are of particular use in homogeneous binding assays.

Abstract: Autoantibodies which enhance the rate of a chemical reaction of a substrate, processes for their preparation, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an autoantibody capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is disclosed.

Abstract: Catalytic antibody components, methods for producing catalytic antibody components, methods for using catalytic antibody components, in particular, single chain and smaller components are disclosed. Catalytic antibody components able to promote the cleavage or formation of an amide, peptide, ester or glycosidic bond, and which are prepared from monoclonal catalytic antibodies, catalytic autoantibodies or by site-directed mutagenesis are disclosed. Methods of using catalytic antibody components alone or in combination with other antibody components or other biological moieties are disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical moiety is disclosed which comprises a chemical biochemical, or biological substance attached to one or more electrochemiluminescent organometallic compounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the substance is attached to one or more ruthenium-containing or osmiumcontaining luminescent organometallic compounds. Methods are disclosed for detecting very small amounts of the chemical moiety using chemiluminescent, electrochemiluminescent, and photoluminescent means. Compounds are disclosed which are useful for labelling substances of interest with ruthenium-containing and osmium-containing labels or other electrochemiluminescent labels. These labelled substances are useful in methods provided for detecting and quantifying analytes of interest in binding assays and competitive binding assays. The labelled substances are of particular use in homogeneous binding assays.