Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies, and hybridomas which produce them, which are preferentially reactive with glycated albumin and insignificantly reactive with other proteins, as well methods of using these monoclonal antibodies to detect glycated albumin.

Abstract: A combination of reagents including (i) a first liquid containing (a) first microcapsules having an analyte immobilized on surfaces thereof and containing a marker therein and (b) microcapsules encapsulating an antibody and having different capsule walls from said first analyte immobilized microcapsules with respect to susceptibility to a capsule wall lysin, and (ii) a second liquid containing complement is suitable for immunoassay based on complement-dependent immune lysis of microcapsules.

Abstract: Hapten-biotin conjugates in which the hapten is linked with biotin via a spacer, which has 26 to 40 atoms in its chain and contains at least 5 heteroatoms, are novel and are suitable, in particular for use in a competitive homogeneous immunoassay in which the agglutination which occurs in the reaction is evaluated by turbidimetric or nephelometric measurements.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies specific for an epitope of an FIV-encoded antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides a method capable of determining the presence or absence of each of a plurality of different ligands in a specimen. The specimen is contacted with a predetermined number of different homogenous populations of fluorescent beads having one or more predetermined antiligands affixed to their surface. The specimen and bead mixture is analyzed using a means having a single parameter of measuring fluorescence per ligand to determine the number of non-agglutinated beads, the number of agglutinated beads, the number of bead aggregates, and for each aggregate, the number of beads its comprises. This information is used to correlate the presence or absence in the specimen of each of the different ligands analyzed for. The method of the invention thus provides for the simultaneous determination of a predetermined number of ligands in a specimen using only a single bead contacting step.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel antigens associated with Borrelia burgdorferi which are exported (or shed) in vivo and whose detection is a means of diagnosing Lyme disease. The antigens are extracellular membrane vesicles and other bioproducts including the major extracellular protein. The invention further provides antibodies, monoclonal and/or polyclonal, labeled and/or unlabeled, that react with the antigens. The invention is also directed to a method of diagnosing Lyme disease by detecting the antigens in a biological sample taken from a host using the antibodies in conventional immunoassay formats. The invention further relates to kits, for the diagnosis of Lyme disease, comprising the antibodies and ancillary reagents. The advantage of the antibodies used in the invention is that they react with the antigens from geographically diverse strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, but do not react with antigens from related Borrelia spirochetes.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that react specifically with members of the genus Leptosphaeria and hybridomas that produce such antibodies. The invention is further directed to a method for making a hybridoma cell line that produces monoclonal antibodies that react specifically with Leptosphaeria nodorum, and a method of obtaining monoclonal antibodies therefrom. Methods and kits for diagnosing Leptosphaeria infections in plant material using such monoclonal antibodies are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A replication initiator protein complex for eukaryotic cells is disclosed which includes protein fractions of about 60 kD and 100 kD size. The protein complex comprises a protein in purified form that is capable of origin-specific DNA binding and ATP-dependent DNA helicase activity. The 60 kD fraction is named RIP60 and is primarily active in origin-specific DNA binding. The 100 kD fraction is named RIP100 and is primarily active as a DNA helicase. The protein complex and its fractions are active only during S phase and thereby commend their investigation and use toward the development of specific diagnostic and therapeutic modalities against pathogens to which cell division is critical. Diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are accordingly proposed, and testing procedures, materials in kit form, recombinant materials and procedures, and pharmaceutical compositions are likewise set forth.

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 the difference between the two probes is that each is labeled with a different fluorochrome. 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 B cell markers, such as .gamma. chain and CD19, that are conjugated with different fluorochromes.

Abstract: A procedure for finding and identifying red cell antibodies by means of the solid-phase method, comprising contacting erythrocytes having selected antigen patterns with sera or plasmas that are to be tested for antibodies and transferred along with a polyspecific anti-human globulin reagent onto a substrate coated with protein A or protein G, thereby to transfer the detection or identification cells or, in the case of autocontrols, inherent cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to detect a Chlamydia infection. More particularly, this invention relates to the discovery of a genus specific antigen in Chlamydia psittaci strain DD-34 than can be used to make antibodies that diagnostically identify strains of both Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis, while not cross-reacting with other species.

Abstract: Antigens extracted from one or more serotypes of a Bacteroides microorganism are rapidly and sensitively detected when directly bound to a water-insoluble substrate. The bound antigens are detected by forming an immunological complex on the substrate when the antigen reacts with the appropriate antibody. The antibody-antigen complex can be detected directly or by means of a second antibody which is directed to the Bacteroides antibody. The entire assay can be carried out at room temperature in less than about 15 minutes.

Abstract: A dry test strip for the detection of an analyte in a test fluid is disclosed. The test strip comprises a porous detection zone containing a reactant system that can generate a signal in the presence of an analyte. The detection zone further comprises dextran as a barrier to prevent penetration of RBC's into the detection zone.

Abstract: Inclusion of alginate in enzyme-conjugate incubation solutions is used to improve performance of immunoassays. The total binding of antibody-signal producing species conjugate is enhanced and the specific binding is enhanced more than the non-specific binding. This allows a lower detection limit to be achieved in these assays.

Abstract: A screening assay for detecting the presence of Pseudomonas bacteria in a test sample comprising isolating the bacteria present in the sample, extracting Azurin protein from the periplasm within the bacteria, reacting the extract with an enzymatically labelled, Azurin-specific antibody and a color-producing substrate specific for the enzyme which is capable of producing a color distinct from the color generated by Azurin and reading the results of the reaction of the sample with the antibody to determine whether the color has been produced whereby the presence of Pseudomonas bacteria in the sample is indicated.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel homogeneous immunoassay systems involving complement-mediated lysis of marker-encapsulating lipid vesicles (liposomes) for detection of analyte in a fluid sample. These systems do not require the separation of unbound antigens and/or antibody conjugates yet provide highly sensitive procedures for analyte detection. Liposomes containing a marker, are coupled to antibody fragments in a way which confers the liposomes with immunological specificity yet avoids sensitizing the liposomes to complement mediated lysis in the absence of analyte. Antibody sensitized liposomes (the first reagent) are sequentially incubated with an analyte-containing sample, and optionally "dummy" liposomes, which do not contain encapsulated marker, a second antibody (the second reagent), and finally with a complement source such as plasma. Complement is activated by the liposome-antibody-antigen-second antibody complex causing liposome lysis and a concomitant release of marker.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of biological samples comprises: at least one column having an adsorbent layer made of adsorbent that fills a part of said column, and a reservoir forming the other part of said column; at least one vessel connected to said reservoir, said vessel being disposed so as to contain said samples to be supplied to said reservoir and/or media for treating said samples; a means for supplying said samples and/or media for treating said samples from said vessel to said reservoir; and a means for controlling said supply means. A method for the treatment of biological samples involves the use of the above-mentioned apparatus. With the use of the apparatus, the analysis of samples and also the isolation of desired substances from samples could be done automatically with accuracy in a simple procedure.

Abstract: Methods for distinguishing multiple subpopulations of biological particles in a single sample based upon quantitative differences in the fluorescence intensity attributable to one or two fluorochromes with which the biological particles are labelled. The method is used with flow cytometric particle counting techniques to count and sort and biological particles such as the formed elements of blood and other tissue cells. Also disclosed are reagents containing fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies used in the methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an analyte in a sample, as well as a method for carrying this out, are disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a first zone containing a labeled substance, and a second zone which permits separation of a mobile detectable moiety from unreacted reaction component. Detectable moiety is the product of reaction between reaction component and labeled substance.

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.