Abstract: Specific, selective inhibitors of catalytic antibodies both synthetic and naturally occurring, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an inhibitor preventing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by an anti-VIP catalytic autoantibody is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of chemical reactions involving the conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product involves contacting the reactant with an appropriate monoclonal antibody under conditions permitting the formulation of a complex between the antibody and the reactant. The complexed reactant is converted to the product which is then released from the complex. The monoclonal antibody may employ a cofactor and may be directed to a known substrate of an enzyme. Methods for preparing such monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting electrochemiluminescence (ECL) measurements which control the initial conditions relating to the surface state of a triggering working electrode by reproducibly creating and maintaining a favorable surface condition so as to enhance the precision and detection limit of the measurements. Assays are performed with ECL detection in a flow-through cell environment and the precision and detection limit are enhanced by alternating initialization and measurement steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting two or more simultaneous measurements of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) phenomena includes a cell in which a sample including an ECL moiety may be induced to repeatedly emit light in response to electrochemical energy applied by, for example, a working voltammetric electrode. Two or more light detectors such as photomultiplier tubes receive the emitted light at respective wavelengths indicative of respective analytes of interest in the sample.

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: An apparatus for conducting measurements of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) phenomena includes a cell unit having an electrode configuration for inducing the emission of ECL light by the application of a selected voltage waveform to a sample fluid including an ECL moiety. The sample fluid is transported to and from the cell unit by a flow-through pump/tubing system. A photomultiplier tube detects the intensity of light emitted by the sample fluid during the ECL measurement process. A computer control unit both analyzes the detected data and provides digital control signals to the cell unit to generate effective voltage waveforms. The digital control signals are supplied to a novel pulse width modulated digital to analog converter which outputs a ramp voltage waveform having the desired slope.

Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of chemical reactions involving the conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product involves contacting the reactant with an appropriate monoclonal antibody under conditions permitting the formation of a complex between the antibody and the reactant. The complexed reactant is converted to the product which is then released from the complex. The monoclonal antibody may employ a cofactor and may be directed to a known substrate of an enzyme. Methods for preparing such monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.

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: A method for increasing the rate of chemical reactions involving the conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product involves contacting the reactant with an appropriate monoclonal antibody under conditions permitting the formation of a complex between the antibody and the reactant. The complexed reactant is converted to the product which is then released from the complex. The monoclonal antibody may employ a cofactor and may be directed to a known substrate of an enzyme. Methods for preparing such monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.

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