Abstract: Compounds useful as affinity chromatography supports and as labeled reagents are disclosed. The compounds are peptides which can be constituted in families of positively charged, negatively charged or uncharged small peptides or the amidated forms thereof with varying characteristics as to charge, charge distribution, hydrophobicity, cyclization, and helical conformation propensity.

Abstract: A method to determine reactivity of a candidate compound with a target receptor which method does not require the physical presence of the receptor is disclosed. By providing a formula for treating data obtained from a reference set of receptors which is predictive of reactivity with the target receptor, the compound to be tested can be physically assessed with respect to the reference receptors, the formula applied, and reactivity with the actual target receptor may be predicted.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to obtain panels of low molecular weight polymers resulting from varying constituent monomers, which panels are systematically diverse with respect to two or more variables. The panels can be screened for members (paralogs) which are capable of specifically binding a target moiety. Such paralogs are useful for chromatographic separations and purifications of desired analytes and in binding assays, such as immunoassays, involving said analytes, as well as for any purpose which requires said specific binding. The invention also provides kits for these determinations, and methods to synthesize panels of candidate paralogs and use of these panels to generate analyte profiles and cross reactivity matrices.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## or the amides, esters or salts thereof, wherein: L is an electron withdrawing leaving group;S.sup.x is S.dbd.O, O.dbd.S.dbd.O, S.dbd.NH, HN.dbd.S.dbd.O, Se.dbd.O, O.dbd.Se.dbd.O, Se.dbd.NH, HN.dbd.Se.dbd.O, S.sup.+ R.sup.4 wherein R.sup.4 is alkyl (1-6C), or O--C.dbd.O or HN--C.dbd.O;each R of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently H or a noninterfering substituent;n is 0, 1 or 2;Y is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein m is 1 or 2; and AA.sub.C is an amino acid linked through a peptide bond to the remainder of said compound of formula 1, are disclosed.These compounds are useful prodrugs for selective treatment of target tissues which contain compatible glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes, and simultaneously elevate the levels of GM progenitor cells in bone marrow.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## or the amides, esters or salts thereof, wherein: L is an electron withdrawing leaving group;S.sup.x is S=O, O=S=O, S=NH, HN=S=O, Se=O, O=Se=O, Se=NH, HN=Se=O, S+R.sup.4 wherein R.sup.4 is alkyl (1-6 C), or O--C=O or HN--C=O;each R of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently H or a noninterfering substituent;n is 0, 1 or 2;Y is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein m is 1 or 2; and AA.sub.C is an amino acid linked through a peptide bond to the remainder of said compound of formula 1, are dislosed.These compounds are useful prodrugs for selective treatment of target tissues which contain compatible glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes.

Abstract: Screening methods to obtain suitable antibodies for use in immunoassays for analytes not ordinarily susceptible to detection by this means involves in vitro, screening of panels of cells secreting a representative selection of antibodies. An application of this method also permits the preparation of specific mimotopes which mimic the immunological activity of the desired analyte, which mimotopes can then be used as competitors in the immunoassay or can be used to immunize subject mammals in order to improve the specificity and affinity of the antibodies. Methods to identify a particular analyte by its pattern of binding strength to a panel of related antibodies and to match an arbitrary analyte with an immunoreactive member of a panel of candidate antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of analyte in a sample utilizes a series of test regions with systematically varied, preferably monotonically increasing, affinity for a specific binding partner for an analyte or for the analyte itself. By determining the portion of test regions which are capable of binding specific binding partner in competition with the analyte in the sample, or which bind the analyte, the amount of analyte may be estimated. Thus, titration of affinity replaces titration of concentration, allowing assays to, be performed without the need for serial dilution steps.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to obtain panels of low molecular weight polymers resulting from varying constituent monomers, which panels are systematically diverse with respect to two or more variables. The panels can be screened for members (paralogs) which are capable of specifically binding a target moiety. Such paralogs are useful for chromatographic separations and purifications of desired analytes and in binding assays, such as immunoassays, involving said analytes, as well as for any purpose which requires said specific binding. The invention also provides kits for these determinations, and methods to synthesize panels of candidate paralogs and use of these panels to generate analyte profiles and cross reactivity matrices.

Abstract: The precision of identification of analyte composition in a sample, where the possible analytes cross-react with specific binding reagents, is enhanced by applying pattern recognition techniques. Samples to be tested are reacted with a panel of specific binding reagents reactive with the set of analytes to be tested to obtain a pattern of reactivity with respect to each analyte at a given concentration. This results in a databank of "CRIM profiles" for known concentrations of each analyte. This databank is stored in a computationally accessible form, which then can be matched against CRIM patterns obtained by testing unknown samples. In one embodiment, each CRIM pattern obtained is plotted as a single point in n-dimensional space, wherein n represents the number of specific binding reagents in the panel.

Abstract: Screening methods to obtain suitable antibodies for use in immunoassays for analytes not ordinarily susceptible to detection by these methods involves in vitro screening of panels of cells secreting a representative selection of antibodies. An application of this method also permits the preparation of specific mimotopes which mimic the immunological activity of the desired analyte, which mimotopes can then be used as competitors in the immunoassay or can be used to immunize subject mammals in order to improve the specificity and affinity of the antibodies. Methods to identify a particular analyte by its pattern of binding strength to a panel of related antibodies and to match an arbitrary analyte with an immunoreactive member of a panel of candidate antibodies are also disclosed. These screening methods can also be employed for rational drug design.

Abstract: Screening methods to obtain suitable antibodies for use in immunoassays for analytes not ordinarily susceptible to detection by this means involves in vitro screening of panels of cells secreting a representative selection of antibodies. An application of this method also permits the preparation of specific mimotopes which mimic the immunological activity of the desired analyte, which mimotopes can then be used as competitors in the immunoassay or can be used to immunize subject mammals in order to improve the specificity and affinity of the antibodies. Methods to identify a particular analyte by its pattern of binding strength to a panel of related antibodies and to match an arbitrary analyte with an immunoreactive member of a panel of candidate antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for passaging liquid through a membrane putatively containing, in its interstices, at least one substance for which detection is desired, comprises positioning donor and acceptor bibulous matrices onto either surface of the membrane and squeezing the resulting sandwich. This technique permits the application of small volumes of reagents or wash to the membranes and the facile recovery of the waste. The subject membranes are obtained, for example, by blotting developed electrophoresis gels or directly by their use as supports for specific binding assays.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to obtain specific paralogs which are capable of specifically binding a selected moiety. Such paralogs are useful for chromatographic separations and purifications of desired analytes and in binding assays such as immunoassays involving said analytes, as well as for any purpose which requires said specific binding. The invention also provides kits for these determinations, and methods to synthesize panels of candidate paralogs.

Abstract: A method for affinity chromatography or adsorption of a designated analyte utilizes a paralog as the affinity partner. The immobilized paralog can be used in purification or analysis of the analyte; the paralog can also be used as a substitute for antibody in an immunoassay. The paralog is identified by screening candidate peptide sequences of 4-20 amino acids for specific affinity to the analyte.