Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific to a sugar chain containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid and has an ability to bind at least to N-glycolyl GM.sub.2 ganglioside, and producing methods of a hybridomas which produce the monoclonal antibodies are disclosed. The antibodies are extremely useful for clarification of carcinogenesis mechanism, cancer diagnosis and therapy. The hybridomas are manufactured by using an animal with autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Picogram amounts of DNA can be detected in a sample by the use of high-affinity, single-stranded DNA binding proteins. The assay is applicable not only to pure DNA samples but also to samples containing significant amounts of protein.

Abstract: A gel body is provided with a reagent system which interacts with a sample portion which diffuses into the gel to change the transmissive properties of the gel. The gel body is used in an assay for various analytes, and preferably has a shape and index of refraction whereby a beam of light can be transmitted through the gel body by total internal reflectance.

Abstract: A canister for holding a solid phase support for use in a biospecific binding assay is disclosed. The canister consists of a receptacle and cap, both shaped to mate with each other in a snug fit, the cap having a central opening spanned by the solid phase in the form of a thin porous disk. The central opening is surrounded by a raised surface which forms a protective wall avoiding inadvertent contact of the disk by the user or surrounding objects. The cap and receptacle are constructed so as to provide a vent when the parts are joined, providing gravitational flow of a test sample across the porous disk into the interior of the receptacle.

Abstract: Preparation of novel polypeptide sequences spanning amino acid position 61 of the ras protein, said sequences being characterized as containing a leucine in that position instead of the glutamine found in normal ras protein, the utilization of such polypeptides to prepare immunogen compositions utilizing such polypeptide covalently linked to immunogenic carrier materials, the production of antibodies elicited by such polypeptides, the screening of such antibodies to provide monoclonals specific to the P21Tleu61 transforming protein and to immunoassay and use in immunochemical methods employing such antibodies to determine the presence of the p21TLeu61 transforming protein.

Abstract: Composition and method for detection of and vaccination against the viral causative agents of AIDS and ARC. The composition is a synthetic peptide, the amino acid sequence of which is sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of the gp 41 and gp 120 subunits of the gp 160 envelope glycoprotein of HTLV-III, LAV or ARC to produce an immunogenic response in a patient and which has a hydrophilic region therein. The composition may be conjugated to an appropriate carrier for use as a vaccine against AIDS and ARC or bound to the ligand of a specific binding pair, contacted with a sample of biological fluid from a patient suspected of having contracted AIDS or ARC and thereafter contacted with the anti-ligand of the specific binding pair for detection of any antibodies against the viral causative agents of AIDS or ARC which may be present in the sample.