Abstract: An optical detection method for detecting specific ligands in an immunoassay is formed by diffracting a beam of light through slits formed in a mask and thererby forming an interference pattern. The diffracted light of one of the slits is distributed by an assay having a ligand which when reacted with anti-ligand changes the optical characteristics of the assay thereby changing the interference pattern in a concentration dependent manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and purification of antigens from M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae and their use in serological assays. Cell proteins from these organisms that possess substantial immunoreactive responses with poultry antisera to the mycoplasma from which they are isolated in both the acute and convalescent stages of infection are identified. Of these immunogenic proteins, those that also lack immunogenic cross-reactivity with antisera to other poultry mycoplasmas and pathogens are identified. These species specific proteins are purified and incorporated into enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The resulting assays are able to detect sensitively and selectively both field or experimentally-induced M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae infection in poultry. A combination of these assays are incorporated into a diagnostic kit to allow the rapid, sensitive, and selective testing for and differentiation between M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae.

Abstract: A cell line transformed by EBV and infected with a virus, e.g., HIV, which cell line does not release extracellular virus, but which forms syncytia when 1) these cells are co-cultivated with lymphocytes permissive for HIV infection and 2) antibodies to HIV are not present (syncytia formation is specifically inhibited by antibodies by HIV).Syncytial formation induced by cell lines not producing detectable HIV provides a unique and less hazardous test for the detection of non-productive HIV infection as well as for the determination of antibody response to HIV vaccines.

Abstract: The combination of monoclonal antibodies 11A25 and 11E32, which recognize two distinct antigenic sites on the 62-kd glycoprotein of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) in ELISA, enables an increase in the sensitivity of an ELISA assay for subtype 2 REV over what was heretofore possible. The combination of MAbs is useful for diagnosing REV antigen and antibody in poultry flocks and for detecting new strains and variants of the viral subtype.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to the field of one-step assays and latex agglutination tests ("LAT"), and provides an improved method of preparing and using a one-step immunoassay, as well as improved methods of preparing coated latex particles for use in diagnostic assays, and especially, immunochromatographic assays.

Abstract: A method of degrading keratinaceous material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the keratinaceous material with Bacillus licheniformis to form a fermentation media and then fermenting the media for a time sufficient to degrade the material. The method can be used to produce amino acids from keratinaceous material and to produce a hydrolyzed feather product useful as a feed additive from the keratinaceous material.A preferred keratinaceous material for carrying out the present invention is feather, and a preferred bacteria for carrying out the invention is Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1.

Abstract: Gas-generating or absorbing activity of microorganisms is detected by providing a vessel in which the microorganisms are incubated, the vessel having a cap with a membrane indicator therein. The membrane has a deformed region which is inflated to indicate the existence of a change in pressure within the vessel as compared with ambient pressure. Automatic monitoring of the inflated portion is disclosed.