Abstract: Methods and devices for rapid lateral flow immunoassays to detect specific antibodies within a liquid sample while also validating the adequacy of the liquid sample for the presence of immunoglobulin and the integrity and immunoreactivity of the test reagents that detect the antibodies of interest, without requiring instrumentation. The methods and devices provide for delivery of a diluted liquid sample to a single location that simultaneously directs the liquid flow along two or more separate flow paths, one that serves as a positive control to confirm that all critical reagents of the test are immunoreactive, and that the sample being tested is adequate, and the other to detect specific antibodies if present.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which is capable of being used for detection, comprising an encapsulated noble metal nanocluster. Methods for preparing the encapsulated noble metal nanoclusters, and methods of using the encapsulated noble metal nanoclusters are also disclosed. The noble metal nanoclusters are preferably encapsulated by a dendrimer or a peptide. The encapsulated noble metal nanoclusters have a characteristic spectral emission, wherein said spectral emission is varied by controlling the nature of the encapsulating material, such as by controlling the size of the nanocluster and/or the generation of the dendrimer, and wherein said emission is used to provide information about a biological state.

Abstract: A process for treating biological targets in a fluid of a biological organism, including introducing a fluid comprising a biological target to an assembly comprising an inlet connected to receive the fluid and an outlet connected to pass the fluid from the assembly, wherein the assembly comprises a flow chamber for conveying a flow of the fluid, and a capture zone comprising a target-specific binding agent, wherein during flow of the fluid through the flow chamber, the biological target undergoes flux rolling along the target-specific binding agent.

Abstract: In the present invention, a target substance detection material, which includes a metal structure, a target substance capturing unit, and a polymer matrix retaining the metal structure and the target substance capturing unit, captures a target substance, and as a result, the volume of the polymer matrix is changed. Such a change in the volume of the polymer matrix is measured as a change in the optical properties of the metal structure, and the target is detected. Thereby, the present invention provides a target substance detection material having good operability and high performance, which includes a metal structure as a labeled form, and a target substance detection method for detecting the presence or absence of a target substance in a specimen and/or the concentration thereof, using the material.

Abstract: Materials and methods for studying and modulating the interaction of carbohydrate-containing moieties with other species are described, in particular, small particles, e.g. clusters of metal or semiconductor atoms, which can be employed as a substrate for immobilising a plurality of ligands comprising carbohydrate groups. These “nanoparticles” can then be used to study carbohydrate mediated interactions, e.g. with other carbohydrates or proteins, and as therapeutics and diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: A bioassay substrate and method thereof is provide. In the bioassay substrate, a sample solution is dripped onto a spot area to which a plurality of detection substances is fixed and an interaction between the detection substance and a target substance in the sample solution is detected by fluorescent intensity. The substrate includes: a predetermined number of the spot areas placed in a well arranged on the surface of the substrate; and a fine uneven structure continuously formed on a bottom surface configuring the spot areas.

Abstract: A plurality of individual single column test elements are provided for use in a clinical testing apparatus. Each test element is defined by a single test column that includes a quantity of a test material, such as gel material or a bead matrix, including a cover strip used to access the contents of the test column. Individual test elements can be stored, retained and dispensed for testing patient samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterised by a “pre-incubation step” in which the sample which is to be analyzed (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically one or more antibodies bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre-incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more of a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.

Abstract: A biosensor provided herein includes a semiconductor laser device having an optical resonator with at least one reflective surface and a light output surface, and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) unit disposed on the reflective surface of the optical resonator. The SPR unit has specific biological molecules fixed thereon for reacting with corresponding biological molecules of an analyzed object.

Abstract: A concentrated and ligand-coated gold colloid and a method of preparing it. Also disclosed is a rapid biomolecule quantification assay involving the use of the concentrated gold colloid and an apparatus for performing the assay.

Abstract: Ellipsometry systems for imaging binding events between analytes in a sample and an array of ligands in an evanescent field generated by a beam of light reflected from the plane of the ligands is adapted to a multiwell plate structure in common use. In one example, a film of prism arrays is affixed to the underside of the plate with each prism array located in registry with a well and ligand arrays being immobilized on the (planar) bottom surface of the wells. The prism array may be formed in a film and juxtaposed with the bottom surface of the plate or a prism array can be made integral with the plate bottom of a multiwell plate.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the detection of antigens are disclosed. Devices and methods for detecting food-borne pathogens are disclosed.

Abstract: A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat is provided. The system includes a transparent, or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The sample tube has an elongated sidewall having a first cross-sectional inner diameter. The float consists of a main body portion and one or more support members protruding from the main body portion to engage and support the sidewall of the sample tube. The main body portion and the support members of the float have a cross-sectional diameter less than that of the first cross-sectional inner diameter of the tube when the sample tube is expanded, such as by centrifugation. The main body portion of the float together with an axially aligned portion of the sidewall define an annular volume therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral flow assay and system, including a test strip, for detection and quantification of analytes in samples, such as samples containing cells and fluid. In general, according to the present invention, a test strip for a lateral flow assay for detection of at least one analyte in a sample comprises: (1) a chromatographic strip, a sample filter, a fluid-impermeable barrier, and means for providing a mobilizable detectable agent that is capable of binding to the at least one analyte or to the capture agent after capturing the analyte to the chromatographic strip such that the mobilizable detectable agent migrates through the chromatographic strip and contacts sample that has passed through the sample filter and also has migrated through the chromatographic strip. The test strip allows detection with or without quantitation of an analyte in a sample containing whole cells.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a biosensor that can detect binding of a compound with a functional protein and then assay a reaction product derived from the activity of the functional protein again.

Abstract: Each well of a multiwell plate adapted to accept a plurality of biological samples for testing for the presence of analytes in the sample is further adapted herein for immobilizing on the side walls of a well a 3D arrangement of ligand arrays. A well is formed with planar side walls and a stack of sample separators is placed within a well in positions so as to not come in contact with ligand spots in the array(s). The spacing between each pair of adjacent separators in a stack forms a sample chamber in a position corresponding to an array of the 3D arrangement of ligand arrays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a testing device and methods for the identification of an analyte of interest in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the testing device includes a front panel having at least one sample application aperture; a rear panel having at least one solvent application aperture; a sample collection matrix disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, the sample collection matrix being in communication with the sample and solvent application apertures of the front and rear panels; and at least one insertable test strip containing a reagent enabling detection of the analyte of interest.