Abstract: An improved method for detecting a target biomolecule directly in a polyacrylamide gel in which it has been separated from other substances. The improvement resides in, prior to binding the target to a probe and while the target biomolecule remains in the gel, (1) immersing the gel in a water miscible, aqueous extracting medium to shrink the gel by at least about ten percent and then (2) washing the gel with water to restore the gel to substantially its original size.

Abstract: A device for the dialysis of a sample includes a hermetically sealed sample chamber formed by a gasket with dialysis membranes affixed to each side in facing relationship. The gasket is impermeable to the sample being dialyzed, but is penetrable and reusable such that a sample introduction mechanism can be inserted through the gasket into the chamber, and then withdrawn without sample being permitted to leak. The device is fitted into a rigid housing containing windows and at least one port parallel to the dialysis membranes for directing the sample introduction mechanism into the gasket. The housing includes at least one pressure ridge for assisting in hermetically sealing the sample chamber and air chamber at one end for causing the device to float in an upright position when immersed in a dialysate.

Abstract: A method of analyzing data obtained from a biological assay, which method comprises (a) performing a biological assay, which quantitates a biological activity, (b) obtaining data resulting from the biological assay, and (c) analyzing the data using a dimensionally homogeneous equation, whereupon the data obtained from the biological assay are analyzed.

Abstract: A dual enzyme chemiluminescent substrate formulation useful for the independent or simultaneous analysis of the enzymes is disclosed, the formulation includes, as one substrate component, dihydrophthalazinedione, such as luminol or isoluminol, and a peroxide source and, as the other substrate component, a 1,2-dioxetane. The formulation further includes a polymeric quaternary onium salt as an isolating agent to defeat adverse interactions between the substrate pairs.

Abstract: A pellet composed of an aggregate of distinct beads of a chromatography media. The pellet is coherent and capable of being rapidly hydrated on addition of water to form a gel wherein said beads are swollen and substantially uniformly dispersed in the water phase.

Abstract: A precursor for the construction of chelated metal conjugates which demonstrate improved assay performance and utility in minimizing non-specific binding while maintaining specificity for target molecules is disclosed. The precursor has tridentate functionality towards multivalent ions such as iron and nickel and contains a diacetyl glycine group covalently linked via an amide to a molecule such as a proteinaceous molecule providing a primary amide group for amide bond formation. The precursor is preferably prepared in monomeric form by reacting nitrilotriacetic acid or a salt thereof in an aqueous medium at an alkaline pH of at least 8 with a proteinaceous molecule containing a primary amine group in the presence of a carbodiimide. The proteinaceous molecule may be bovine serum albumin or an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase or horseradish peroxidase.

Abstract: New protein coated surfaces, which have a high capacity for capturing target molecules, thus yielding assays with enhanced sensitivity, are disclosed. Surfaces prepared according to the present invention contain a coating consisting essentially of streptavidin, avidin or “NeutrAvidin” in polymeric form, wherein polymerization has been controlled to an extent such that the polymer is predominantly dimers, trimers and tetramers of the native molecule.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a recombinantly expressed fusion product comprised of a proteinaceous tag and a soluble protein of interest and the separation of the fusion product from the host cell in which it is expressed. The tag and in turn the fusion product is insoluble in the host cell lysate solution and the fusion product is separated therefrom by centrifugation or filtration.