Abstract: A system for detecting physical or chemical changes in an environment is disclosed. The system comprises means for conducting a chemical reaction; an active biological molecule whose physiological function is noncatalytic which is capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction wherein at least one reactant is converted to one product; and means for sensing and processing information relating to changes in said environment. A method for detecting physical or chemical changes in an environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bipyridine or phenanthroline ligands presenting functional groups that prevent non-specific binding (in particular, negatively charged functional groups that are unaffected by standard conditions for conjugating biological reagents through amide bonds) are described as are luminescent metal complexes comprising these ligands. The use of luminescent ruthenium and osmium complexes comprising these ligands in electrochemiluminescence assays shows that the use of these labels can significantly reduce the amount of non-specific binding observed relative to assays carried out using reagents labeled with analogous labels that don't present functional groups that decrease non-specific binding.

Abstract: Assay systems and components, and methods of using same. The assay system preferably includes one or more of the following components: i) an apparatus for retaining/positioning an assay plate; ii) a device for detecting proper alignment of an assay plate; iii) an apparatus for training a probe to locate and aspirate reagents and/or one or more samples; iv) a fluid handling device for aspirating reagents; v) an apparatus for detecting the presence/absence of a reagent comprising a fluid handling manifold having both a transparent light path and a fluid conduit defined therein and vi) a positive displacement pump having a pump chamber improved to contain one or more of: bypass means; cleanout means; and/or gas and sediment removal means.

Abstract: Catalytic antibodies are disclosed. The catalytic antibodies are specific for prodrug compounds. The catalytic antibodies enhance cleavage of an active drug moiety from a prodrug residue, thereby activating the drug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition suitable for use in an ECL assay wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the composition is detected. The composition includes an amine or amine moiety which, when oxidized by exposure to an effective amount of electrochemical energy, forms a strong reducing agent in the composition; and an electrolyte capable of functioning as a medium in which an ECL moiety and the amine or amine moiety can be oxidized by exposure to electrochemical energy.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for a nucleic acid damaging activity using at least one singular double-stranded nucleic acid with at least one electrochemiluminescent label, and a method for measuring an inhibitor of a nucleic acid damaging activity with at least one singular double-stranded nucleic acid using at least one electrochemiluminescent label, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of the presence and amount of DNA in a sample. The method is based on the use of a nucleic acid template dependent enzyme in combination with a random primer to generate an enzymatic product which incorporates a binding species and a detectable species covalently linked.

Abstract: Electrochemiluminescent label compounds containing multimetallic centers separated by bridging ligands are described. An example of a multimetallic electrochemiluminescent label suitable for use in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) methods, [(bpy)2Ru]2(bphb)4+, demonstrates ECL efficiencies 2 to 3 times greater than those for Ru(bpy)32+ in acetonitrile and aqueous media. Such multimetallic ECL compounds may be especially useful in the design of new labels for bioanalytical applications, such as immunoassays and DNA probes.

Abstract: Apparatus for the conduct of electrochemiluminescence measurements includes an ECL chamber having a transparent window defining one wall of the chamber and a photodetector mounted closely adjacent thereto. An assay fluid is subject to a magnetic field and is electrically energized. Electrochemiluminescence induced in the fluid is measured by the photodetector.

Abstract: Electrochemiluminescent-labels and enzyme substrates, which preferably are conjugated, are used in immunoassays and electrochemiluminescence is generated catalytically. In conventional electrochemiluminescence immunoassays, an anti-analyte antibody molecule can give rise to typically 6-8 electrochemiluminescence-active ruthenium atoms, while in the present invention, each enzyme-labeled anti-analyte molecule can give rise to thousands of electrochemiluminescence-active ruthenium atoms per second. An exemplary immunoassay is based on a catalytic process employing &bgr;-lactamase-conjugated anti-analytes which enzymatically hydrolyze electrochemiluminescent-labeled substrates, making them strongly electrochemiluminescent. The electrochemiluminescence signal generated by each anti-analyte molecule (i.e., each analyte molecule) is much greater than with the conventional method. Accordingly, greater sensitivity can be gained in the measurement of low concentrations of a given immunoassay analyte.

Abstract: Antigens capable of eliciting antibodies which can enhance the rate of chemical reactions at peptide bonds are disclosed. In particular, the rate of cleavage or formation of metastable peptide bonds, such as ASN-X, ASP-X, GLN-X, GLU-X, LYS-X, and HIS-Y-X, where X and Y are any amino acid, is enhanced by antibodies elicited by said antigen.

Abstract: Apparatus for the conduct of electrochemiluminescence measurements includes an ECL chamber having a transparent window defining one wall of the chamber and a photodetector mounted closely adjacent thereto. An assay fluid is subject to a magnetic field and is electrically energized. Electrochemiluminescence induced in the fluid is measured by the photodetector.

Abstract: Described and claimed are compounds of the formula wherein: Y is a polypeptide, R1 is bonded to the N-terminus of Y and is hydrogen or a branched or linear, substituted or unsubstituted, C1-21 alkyl, alkene, or alkyne group, R2 is a side chain of a naturally occuring amino acid, and X is Such compounds are useful as haptens and immunogens for the elicitation of antibodies which catalytically enhance the rate of formation or hydrolysis of primary amide bonds. Also described and claimed are methods employing the compounds and antibodies.

Abstract: Biomolecule analysis using anodic oxidation of aqueous sodium 9,10-diphenylanthracene-2-sulfonate (DPAS) and 1- and 2-thianthrenecarboxylic acid (1-THCOOH and 2-THCOOH) in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) as a coreactant in aqueous solution produces electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). In addition, the cathodic reduction of DPAS in the presence of peroxydisulfate (S2O82−) as a coreactant also produces ECL in an acetonitrile (MeCN)-water solution (1:1 by volume). The oxidation of chlorpromazine (CPZ) produces an ECL emission in the absence of an added coreactant following an unprecedented “self-annihilation” mechanism.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for a nucleic acid damaging activity using at least one singular double-stranded nucleic acid with at least one electrochemiluminescent label, and a method for measuring an inhibitor of a nucleic acid damaging activity with at least one singular double-stranded nucleic acid using at least one electrochemiluminescent label, are disclosed.

Abstract: A labeled substance comprising a biological substance linked to a luminescent rhenium-containing label. Qualitative and quantitative electrochemiluminescent assays using the same. These methods comprise contacting a sample with a reagent labeled with an electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety containing rhenium and capable of combining with the analyte of interest, exposing the resulting sample to chemical, electrochemical, or electromagnetic energy and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for measuring DNA or RNA binding proteins, specific nucleic acids, as well as enzyme activities using labeled nucleic acids of labeled protein/peptide molecules.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in an ECL assay wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by said composition is detected, which composition comprises (a) a metal-containing ECL moiety which, when oxidized by exposure to an effective amount of electrochemical energy, is capable of being converted to an excited state from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted upon exposure of the excited ECL moiety to conditions sufficient to induce said emission; (b) an amine or amine moiety which, when oxidized by exposure to an effective amount of electrochemical energy, forms a strong reducing agent in said composition; and (c) an electrolyte capable of functioning as a medium in which said ECL moiety and said amine or amine moiety can be oxidized by exposure to electrochemical energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest present in a sample are described. The methods include the steps of: forming a composition containing the sample, an assay-performance-substance which contains a component linked to a label compound capable of chemiluminescing when triggered, and a plurality of particles capable of specifically binding with the analyte and/or the assay-performance-substance; incubating the composition to form a complex which includes a particle and the labeled component; collecting the complex in a collection zone; introducing into the collection zone a trigger capable of triggering the label such that the label luminesces; and measuring the emitted luminescence to measure the presence of the analyte of interest in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of testing water for microbe contamination. The methods of the invention comprise supplementing existing methods with assays using specific reagents such as monoclonal antibodies. The invention also concerns a device for use in the methods of the invention.