Abstract: The presence or absence of an organism in a sample is detected by isolating the organism from the sample by a suitable affinity matrix, releasing the organism from the affinity matrix, rupturing the cells of the organism to release total nucleic acid and hydrolyzing or digesting the total nucleic acid to form mononucleotides or individual free nucleic acid basic and inorganic phosphate to form an analyte solution, and assaying the analyte solution for the at least one presence of free nucleic acid base or inorganic phosphate to thereby determine whether the organism was present in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detection of low levels of about 1 ppb of hydrophobic analyte in environmental samples using an enclosed permeable membrane enrichment device and agglutination reaction slide test apparatus.

Abstract: Polypeptides which include at least one antigenic and/or immunogenic determinant of the envelope protein (env) of the HIV-2 virus and their production by recombinant DNA technology and the DNA sequences, expression vectors and transformed single-cell organisms used in this process are provided. A method for the detection of HIV antibodies or HIV viruses in human sera or in other biological fluids is also provided.

Abstract: A kit of two liquid reagent components for determining the fructosamine content of a blood sample measured by color change, and methods of determining fructosamine content of a blood sample using these two liquid reagents are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of polycarboxylic acid polymers to enhance the performance of immunochemical assays for the quantitation of aminoglycoside antibiotics in biological samples. This invention is also concerned with the improved homogeneous, immunochemical detection assays resulting from the use of said polycarboxylic acid polymers in said assays.

Abstract: A synthetic gene which codes for at least one epitope from the immunodominant conserved region of HTLV-I env. gp 21 as well as hybrid genes utilizing the synthetic gene in conjunction with other epitopes from HTLV-Ienv.

Abstract: Novel benzpyran derivatives and the use of these derivatives in producing novel anti-cannabinoid antibodies are disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of these antibodies as reagents in improved immunoassays for tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites in biological fluid samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides hapten derivatives that are useful for the preparation of antigenic, antibody and label reagents having superior performance characteristics for use in immunoassays for the detection of d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene. In the present invention the propoxyphene nucleus is derivatized out of the nitrogen center to form an aminoalkyl -carboxyl, -amino, -thiol or -hydroxyl haptenic derivative. The resulting hapten can then be further modified at the now functionalized position off the nitrogen for linking to an appropriate antigenic or labelling group to provide reagents for propoxyphene immunoassays having excellent sensitivity and selectivity for both d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic performance of temperature cycles in a number of test tubes in which each test tube is closed by a closure and contains a predetermined volume of a liquid reaction mixture. The apparatus includes a holder, a computer-controlled automatic control system, and a device for cyclic alteration of the holder temperature. The holder has an arrangement of chambers for holding test tubes with each chamber being adapted to receive one test tube. The holder is constructed of a material of high thermal conductivity, and has an upper surface, a bottom surface and a cylindrical outer wall. Each chamber has an opening located in the upper surface of the holder. The device for cyclic alteration of the temperature of the holder is actuated by the automatic control system. By reducing the dimensions of the device and the power required to operate it, numerous advantages are realized.

Abstract: Polypeptides which include at least one antigenic and/or immunogenic determinant of the envelope protein (env) of the HIV-2 virus and their production by recombinant DNA technology and the DNA sequences, expression vectors and transformed single-cell organisms used in this process are provided. A method for the detection of HIV antibodies or HIV viruses in human sera or in other biological fluids is also provided.

Abstract: Binding assays are effected by introducing a specific binding reagent through a top absorbant membrane in parallel contact with a main absorbant membrane. By providing a parallel flow of liquid in the two membranes, and by controlling the flow of the diluted reagent from the top absorbant membrane into the main absorbant membrane, a controlled, uniform dilution of the reagent is obtained, leading to more accurate assay results.

Abstract: Novel quinidine derivatives are provided which can be used in an improved immunoasssay for the detection of quinidine and quinidine metabolites.

Abstract: A throwaway arrangement of reaction containers each having the same shape and dimensions for bringing about temperature cycles in a liquid mixture contained within the reaction containers. Each reaction container having a first conical wall region, and a second cylindrical wall region which at one end forms the opening of the reaction container. The thickness of the first wall region is less than the thickness of the second wall region. The opening of the reaction container is adapted to receive a cover for closing the container in gas-tight manner when placed on the opening of the reaction container. To facilitate handling and access to the liquids in the reaction containers, the arrangement reaction containers is annular, and the closure of each reaction container can be pierced by a pipetting needle.

Abstract: Polypeptides which include at least one antigenic and/or immunogenic determinant of the envelope protein (env) of the HIV-2 virus and their production by recombinant DNA technology and the DNA sequences, expression vectors and transformed single-cell organisms used in this process are provided. A method for the detection of HIV antibodies or HIV viruses in human sera or in other biological fluids is also provided.

Abstract: A vessel holder for receiving a number of vessels is useful in an automated analyzer. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading bar code labels, the vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and containing a single straight row of identical elongate chambers. Each chamber is for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base with respect to which they are perpendicularly disposed. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition. The inside of a side wall of each chamber bears a first bar code label for detecting the absence of a vessel in the chamber, and the outside of a side wall of each chamber bears a second bar code label for detecting the position of the chamber in the vessel holder. The first and the second bar code labels are readable by a bar code reader from one and the same side of the vessel holder.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant CEA glycoproteins and methods for their production. These recombinant CEA glycoproteins s lack the C-terminal 26 amino acids which are present in natural CEA and are characterized in that they are free from cross-reactive CEA-like antigens, antigenically indistingiushable from the soluble form of CEA shed from tumor cells, and devoid of the ethanolamine which is present at the C-terminus of natural CEA, and also devoid of the additional amino acids which may be attached to the natural CEA through said ethanolamine. Said recombinant CEA glycoproteins s preferably have the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1. The CEA glycoproteins s of the invention may be used as reagents in an immunoassay for the diagnosis of neoplastic diseases. The invention also relates to a DNA encoding said recombinant CEA glycoprotein, such as the DNA having the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 or a functional equivalent sequence thereof.

Abstract: An analyzer automatically performs analytical operations in which liquid samples for analysis and required reagents are held in suitable vessels. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading the bar code labels, the analyzer contains at least two vessel holders, a bar code reader, and means for automatically adjusting the focal range and the bar code reader. The vessel holders are disposed parallel to one another in the analyzer. A number of vessels of the same kind (for example, sample-containing vessels) are disposed in each vessel holder. Each vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and contains a single straight row of identical elongate chambers for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base and are disposed perpendicularly thereto. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with novel heterotrifunctional compounds which contain a chemically reactive group R, a photochemically reactive group Ar--N.sup.3 and a reductively cleavable S--S(X.sub.2)-group. The chemically reactive group and the photochemically reactive group are separated by a spacer group which contains a disulfide group. The water-solubilizing groups are carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids or derivatives thereof which are attached either to the aromatic ring or to the spacer group between the aromatic ring and the cleavable SS group. The compounds facilitate a novel photoaffinity method for the labelling of biomolecules, whereby the labelled biomolecule preserves its water solubility and the labelling molecule preferably projects free into the solution after anchorage to the surface of the biomolecule.

Abstract: An assaying device is provided for both collecting and analyzing a sample which includes a container and an opening for collecting the sample in a chamber for storing the sample. A cap is provided for sealing the container opening and at least one assay system is attached to the container for chemically analyzing the sample. A channel is provided for enabling a portion of the sample to enter the assay system upon a change of orientation of the container. A tamper-proof device is provided through the use of a releasable seal which permits the sample to enter the assay system only when desired.