Abstract: There is disclosed a process and a device for detecting and measuring (1) the amount of enzyme present as a detecting system following a nucleic acid hybridization reaction or immunoreaction; (2) the level and activity of free enzyme in a biological sample; (3) the level of enzyme from contaminating microorganisms present in a sample; and (4) enzymes from pure culture isolates for microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Abstract: A plasmid vector has been constructed for producing unique vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the gene for rabiesvirus glycoprotein in cells. The recombinant induces production of glycoprotein in substantial amounts for immunization against rabies. Such recombinant could be applied for the production of anti-rabies vaccine and of G antigen antibody and related immunological reagents for research or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A method for determining whether antiphospholipid antibodies are present in a sample is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the sample with a negatively charged phospholipid and with .beta.-2-glycoprotein-I or a homolog or analog thereof and determining whether any antiphospholipid antibodies have bound to the contacted phospholipid and .beta.-2-glycoprotein-I, wherein detection of binding of antiphospholipid antibodies to the phospholipid and .beta.-2-glycoprotein-I, is indicative that antiphospholipid antibodies are present in the sample.

Abstract: Assay reagents, devices, methods and kits used in the analysis of low molecular weight analytes which by themselves are too small or unable to bind to two specific binding members at the same time. The invention involves the use of an analyte-substitute reagent (ASR) comprising at least two components, the first of which is identical to or an analog of the analyte to be determined, while the second is an unrelated ligand for which an antibody or other specific binding member can be obtained or produced.

Abstract: A method for the continuous and reversible determination of the concentration of an enzyme substrate such as glucose in an specimen, wherein the specimen is brought into contact with a corresponding enzyme selected from oxidases and oxygenases and to which a flavin coenzyme (FMN, FAD) is bonded, the flavin coenzyme changing to a reduced form by the enzyme substrate and to an oxidized form by molecular oxygen dissolved in the specimen, and the change in the fluorescence spectrum, produced by means of the reduction of the flavin coenzyme, is measured.

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: A stable antigen useful in the detection of Fasciola hepatica (or liver fluke) infections is disclosed. The antigen may be found in feces, bile, and intestinal contents. Monoclonal antibodies useful in detecting the antigen are disclosed. The method of this invention facilitates the detection of current Fasciola hepatica infections.

Abstract: A novel recombinant human neurokinin-1 receptor short form (hereinafter identified as human NK1R sF) is disclosed which has been prepared by polymerase chain reaction techniques. Also disclosed is the complete sequence of human NK1R sF complementary DNA; expression systems, including a CHO (Chinese hamster ovarian cell line) stable expression system; and an assay using the CHO expression system.NK1R sF, can be used in an assay to identify and evaluate entities that bind substance P receptor or NK1R sF. The assay can also be used in conjunction with diagnosis and therapy to determine the body fluid concentration of substance P antagonists in arthritis patients.

Abstract: A new and improved polymeric membrane for use in biological assays is provided. A blotting assay employing 1,2-dioxetanes as a source of chemiluminescence employs, as an improved membrane, a polymer comprised of at least one monomer of the formula: ##STR1## The membranes reduce background signal, improve sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: Methods are described for making specific monoclonal antibodies useful for detection of cyclodienes in foods and environmental samples. Monoclonal antibodies specifically reactive with cyclodienes can detect accumulated pesticides in food, tissue or environmental samples. Extraction and preparation of organic samples for immunoassay in a polar-nonpolar reaction medium permits detection of halogenated organic ring structures at concentrations in samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides the gene product of the herpes simplex virus U.sub.L 13 gene as being capable of phosphorylating other gene products of the herpes simplex virus. The herpes simplex virus U.sub.L 13 gene product is used in an assay to identify substances suspected of having anti-herpes simplex viral activity.

Abstract: The complexing of an antibody-antigen binding pair is determined by observing the change in fluorescence of a pH-sensitive fluorochrome attached to one of the members of the binding pair. When the binding is conducted in a solution having a pH other than the isoelectric point of the antibody, there will be a change in the pH of the microenviromnent surrounding the fluorochrome. This change will correspond to a change in the observed fluorescent intensity. Either member of the binding pair can be labeled, and combined with that member whose presence is suspect, in an immunoassay.

Abstract: Dopamine releasing protein (DARP) is a protein which stimulates release of dopamine from dopaminergic neurons, and is effective at extremely low concentrations. DARP is useful for stimulating vertebrate nervous systems, and for treatment of Parkinson's disease. Antibodies to DARP are useful for inhibiting dopamine release, and for quantifying the concentration of DARP in samples.

Abstract: An assay for detecting molecules and compounds which specifically bind to sites which regulate cellular potassium channels, for use, inter alia, as a method for identifying drugs with activity specific for modulating K.sup.+ channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles incorporating a series of two or more fluorescent dyes having overlapping excitation and emission spectra allowing efficient energy transfer from the excitation wavelength of the first dye in the series, transfer through the dyes in the series and re-emitted as an optical signal at the emission wavelength of last dye in the series, resulting in a desired effective Stokes shift which is controlled through selection of appropriate dyes.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunofluorescence staining methods which increase the likelihood that antibodies expressed by a single B cell selected and sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting are specific for the antigen of interest, and which also allow selection of B cells expressing antibodies of high affinity for the antigen of interest. The selection for B cells expressing antibodies to specific antigens is increased by labeling B cells with at least two antigen probes, where each antigen probe includes the antigen of interest and is labeled with a different fluorochrome. The positive selection is preferably combined with a negative selection step, in which autofluorescent cells and sticky cells are excluded out. The specificity of sorting of the desired B cells can be further enhanced by staining those antigen-specific B cells which produce the immunoglobulin isotype (typically IgG), with targeting molecules reactive with a B cell marker, such as .gamma.

Abstract: An analyzer has a reaction disk for holding a plurality of reaction containers and a fluorophotometer for measuring fluorescence stemming from solutions in the containers. Most of the containers contain solid phases attached with antibodies but at least one container does not contain any solid phase. In normal operation of the analyzer, a test sample containing antigens and a latently fluorescent reagent such as an antibody labeled by an enzyme are added to a container containing a solid phase. In this container, a fluorescent substance is created through an enzyme reaction. Light is irradiated on the container and the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance is measured. While measuring test samples, fluorescence stemming from a reference sample, such as quinine sulfate, is measured to produce values for the reference sample by which measured values for the test samples are corrected.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the binding affinity of a receptor to a ligand. According to one aspect of the invention, arrays of polymers are synthesized or immobilized on a substrate (212). The array of polymers is exposed to a fluorescently-labelled receptor in solutions of varying concentration. The fluorescence intensity of the labelled receptor is measured by way of, e.g., a photon counter using a confocal microscope (316). Binding affinity is determined through analysis of the relationship between fluorescence intensity and the solution concentration of the receptor. On-rates are measured as a kinetic increase in surface fluorescence intensity, and the on-rate constant rate extracted from fits to the data.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting T-cell dysfunctions. The method includes detecting an alteration in the level of a protein regulating synthesis of the hexasaccharide NeuNAc.alpha.2.fwdarw.3Gal.beta.1.fwdarw.3(NeuNAc.alpha.2.fwdarw.3Gal.beta .1.fwdarw.4GlcNAc.beta.1.fwdarw.6)GalNAc on leukosialin of T-cells from a subject suspected of having a T-cell dysfunction compared to resting T-cells from a normal individual. The protein regulating synthesis of the hexasaccharide can be core 2 GlcNAc transferase and can be detected by either a change in its amount or activity. Also provided is a method of detecting T-cell dysfunctions which includes detecting an alteration in the level of leukosialin having the hexasaccharide NeuNAc.alpha.2.fwdarw.3Gal.beta.1.fwdarw.3(NeuNAc.alpha.2.fwdarw.3Gal.beta .1.fwdarw.4GlcNAc.beta.1.fwdarw.6)GlcNAc on T-cells from a subject suspected of having a T-cell dysfunction compared to resting T-cells from a normal individual. Kits for detecting T-cell dysfunction are provided as well.

Abstract: An immunoassay method using magnetic particles comprising a core and a coating layer on the surface thereof, The core comprises an organic polymer and the coating layer comprises an iron oxide type ferrite coating layer. An antigen or an antibody is bound onto the surface of the coating layer and the particle has a particle size of 0.2 to 3 .mu.m.