Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the determination of antigen-specific antibodies of the immunoglobulin G class in the presence of immunoglobulins of the M class in body fluids by incubation with at least two different receptors R1 and R2 and optionally additional receptors, an essential component of R2 being a binding partner in monomeric form, a reagent for determining an antigen-specific antibody of the immunoglobulin G class as well as the use of binding partners in monomeric form for the determination of an antigen-specific antibody of the immunoglobulin G class.

Abstract: Novel HCV peptide antigens are described representing partial sequences of the C-100-3 and env/core with C-regions. These peptide antigens are suitable for the determination of HCV antibodies as immunogens for the production of antibodies against HCV and as vaccines for the production of vaccines against HCV.

Abstract: The invention concerns calibrators or calibration solutions which are based on a human serum matrix and which are used in a method for detecting cytokeratin, a process for producing them, a method for stabilizing cytokeratin and an immunological method for detecting cytokeratin in a sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the purification of a target substance from a biological sample by immobilizing the target substance on a solid phase by means of a high affinity binding pair and subsequently eluting it by adding a partner of the binding pair in a free form. In addition reagent kits for carrying out the method are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns monoclonal antibodies against a complex of human ACT and a serine protease, preferably against a ACT-PSA, which have essentially no cross-reactivity with free, non-complexed human ACT and with free, non-complexed PSA, as well as diagnostic test methods for detecting serine protease-ACT complexes, in particular PSA-ACT, using these monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Analysis device for analyzing samples, in particular of body liquids, with respect to components contained therein. It comprises a plurality of liquid handling (LH) stations. At at least a part of the LH stations there is a production of liquid waste whereby said LH-station form liquid waste sources. The liquid waste is evacuated, with at least one pump, from the liquid waste sources, with different proportions of air, via a liquid waste conducting system, into a liquid waste container. A substantial reduction of foam production is obtained by connecting at least two liquid waste sources to the liquid waste container via at least two liquid waste lines leading separately into the liquid waste container, whereas liquid waste sources with a higher average air proportion are connected to a first liquid waste line and liquid waste sources with a lower average air proportion are connected to a second liquid waste line.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the immunological determination of a specific antibody in a sample liquid in which the sample liquid is incubated in the presence of a solid phase with two antigens directed against the antibody to be determined of which the first antigen carries at least one marker group and the second antigen is (a) bound to the solid phase or (b) is present in a form capable of binding to the solid phase and the antibody to be determined is detected by determining the marker group in the solid phase or/and in the liquid phase characterized in that at least one of the two antigens contains several epitope regions which react with the antibody to be determined.

Abstract: The invention concerns polymerase chimeras which are composed of amino acid fragments representing domains and which combine properties of naturally occurring polymerases that are advantageous with regard to a particular application. It has surprisingly turned out that the domains from the various enzymes are active in the chimeras and exhibit cooperative behavior. In addition the present invention concerns a process for the production of the chimeras according to the invention and the use of these chimeras for the synthesis of nucleic acids e.g. during a polymerase chain reaction. Moreover the present invention concerns a kit which contains the polymerase chimeras according to the invention.

Abstract: A method is described for the direct, exponential amplification and sequencing (“DEXAS”) of a DNA molecule from a complex mixture of nucleic acids, wherein truncated DNA molecules as well as DNA molecules of full length are synthesized simultaneously and exponentially between two positions on the said DNA molecule, which initially contains a DNA molecule in a thermocycling reaction, a first primer, a second primer, a reaction buffer, a thermostable DNA polymerase, a thermostable pyrophosphatase (optionally), deoxynucleotides or derivatives thereof and a dideoxynucleotide or derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, direct sequencing of RNA can be performed using one polymerase having a Tabor-Richardson mutation, or a functional derivative thereof, and reverse transcriptase activity. In a more preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, direct sequencing of RNA can be performed in one step, in one vessel.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a liquid test sample by electrochemiluminescence. The method includes at least one specific biochemical binding reaction that leads to the formation of a complex which contains a chemiluminescence marker and the binding of the complex to a magnetic microparticle. Detection is carried out in a measuring cell having a working electrode in order to determine the concentration of the marked microparticle. The detection cycle includes a purification step, a conditioning step, a recovery step and a measuring step. A specified potential profile is applied to the working electrode during these steps. Between the conditioning step and the recovery step, an additional potential pulse with an oxidizing and/or a reducing potential is inserted into the voltage shape of the detection cycle in order to improve the deposit of the microparticle.

Abstract: A system for producing multiple diagnostic test elements has a support (1) with an analytical region (3) to which diagnostic test spots (8) are applied, one or several stop edges (11-13) for each direction in space for positioning the support, a first holding unit (10I) into which the support is inserted and positioned by means of the one or more stop edges, a first printing head (20I) arranged above the holding unit (10) for applying drops of a first liquid to the analytical region of the support (1), a first positioning unit which laterally displaces and positions the first holding unit, a second holding unit (10II) into which the support is inserted and positioned by means of the one or more stop edges, a second printing head (20II) arranged above the second holding unit for applying drops of a second liquid to the analytical region of the support (1), a second positioning unit which laterally displaces and positions the second holding unit, a transport unit (41) and a control unit.

Abstract: Magnetic particles with an outer glass surface being essentially poreless or having pores of a diameter of less then 10 nm as well as ferromagnetic particles with a glass surface are preferentially useful for the isolation of biological material from samples. They provide a quick and reliable purification.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for diagnosis of an HIV infection by means of an immunoassay using the specific detection of the p24 antigen of HIV1, HIV1-Sub0 and/or the p26 antigen of HIV2, at least one antibody against the env region of HIV1, HIV1-Sub0 and/or of HIV2 and at least one antibody against the pol and/or gag region of HIV1, HIV1-Sub0 and/or HIV2, reagent kits and test strips suitable for diagnostic procedure as well as monoclonal antibodies against p24 and their use.

Abstract: Novel HCV peptide antigens are described representing partial sequences of the C-100-3 and env/core with C-regions. These peptide antigens are suitable for the determination of HCV antibodies as immunogens for the production of antibodies against HCV and as vaccines for the production of vaccines against HCV.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical test element for the determination of an analyte in a liquid containing a detection element and a channel capable of capillary liquid transport which has a sample application opening at one end of the channel capable of capillary liquid transport, wherein the channel capable of capillary liquid transport is continuously narrowed from the sample application opening in the direction of capillary transport at least up to the beginning of the detection element. In addition it also concerns the use of the said analytical test element for the determination of an analyte in a liquid as well as a method for determining an analyte in a liquid sample with the aid of the said analytical test element.

Abstract: Analysis device for determining an analyte in vivo in the body of a patient, having a measuring probe with a hollow needle (18) which can pierce through the skin. Light is passed through the hollow needle (18) and into the body via an optical fiber (22) travelling in the hollow needle (18). The light transported in the optical fiber (22) is modified in the measuring probe (3), the modification being characteristic of the presence of the analyte. A measurement and evaluation unit (4) measures the change to extract information concerning the presence of the analyte in the body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for typing antibodies in a sample liquid by means of type-specific antigens and in particular a method for typing antibodies to the hepatitis C virus and peptide antigens suitable for this.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases, more specifically a 3-aryl-succinamido-hydroxamic acid of formula (I) and its salt, ester and derivative thereof, along with methods of producing a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The use of a circular vector DNA to produce a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of mammals or humans by gene therapy wherein the vector DNA contains a selection marker gene and a DNA sequence that is heterologous for the vector which causes a modulation, correction or activation of the expression of an endogenous gene or the expression of a gene introduced into the cells of the mammal or the human by the vector DNA which is characterized in that the vector nucleic acid a) is amplified under selection pressure and cleaved in such a way that the said selection marker gene and the said heterologous DNA are present on separate DNA fragments, b) the DNA fragment which contains the heterologous DNA or both fragments are recircularized to form vectors, c) the DNA fragments are separated before or after the recircularization d) the recircularized DNA fragment which contains the heterologous DNA is isolated and e) the recircularized DNA fragment obtained in this manner is used to produce the pharmaceutical a

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing biological samples for the subsequent detection of an analyte. In particular, the invention relates to a process for the isolation of a nucleic acid in a sample using a suspension of magnetic glass particles. In addition, kits and apparatuses containing magnetic glass particles for sample preparation are provided.