Abstract: A reagent complex is disclosed containing (1) a probe polynucleotide having a target binding region complementary to a target nucleotide sequence and (2) a signal strand polynucleotide bound by base pairing to a portion of the target binding region. The signal strand is displaced from the reagent complex by the target nucleotide sequence and separated from intact reagent complexes. A digestable ribonucleotide segment of the displaced signal strand, such as a 3' , terminal segment, is digested to ribonucleotide phosphates, which are phosphorylated to ATP. The ribonucleotide phosphates or ATP are detected.

Abstract: A composition and a method for 5'-labelling polynucleotides undergoing solid phase synthesis wherein a phosphoramidite of an .omega.-hydroxylamine is condensed to a support-bound polynucleotide.

Abstract: A plasmid which comprises genes coding for an immunogenic, non-toxic, heat-labile enterotoxin and/or a non-toxic, heat-stable enterotoxin are disclosed. The E. coli containing this plasmid is also described. The E. coli or the plasmids may additionally contain a colonization factor. Methods for producing the plasmid and the E. coli containing the same are described. A live vaccine is prepared with the E. coli and is useful for vaccinating humans and animals against certain diarrheal diseases.

Abstract: A method, reagents, and kit for determining the levels of D-1 receptor antagonistic activity of neuroleptic drugs. The method correlates competition between analyte and tritiated R-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepin-7-ol for binding to D-1 receptors in mammalian brain tissue.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence and amount of a predetermined target nucleotide sequence in a biological sample is provided. The method employs a reagent complex which consists of a labeled probe polynucleotide having a target binding region and a second polynucleotide bound to the labeled probe in a second polynucleotide binding region thereof. The second binding region is at least partially coextensive with the target binding region. This reagent complex is contacted with a sample under conditions in which the target sequence binds to the labeled probe, displacing the second polynucleotide. Labeled probe/target hybrids are separated from intact reagent complexes and the presence and amount of these hybrids are determined.

Abstract: Leu-3.sup.- cells surviving infection with the AIDS retrovirus can be induced with IUdR to express infectious virus. A cellular clone (8E5), isolated by limiting dilution of a mass culture of survivor cells, was found to contain a single, integrated, defective provirus that was consitutively expressed. Although IUdR treatment of 8E5 cells failed to induce infectious virus, cocultivation with Leu-3.sup.+ generated the characteristic syncytia associated with acute AIDS retrovirus infention. The single integrated copy of proviral DNA directs the synthesis of all major viral structural proteins except p64 and p34 as monitored by immunoblotting. Diagnostic reagents and kits in accordance with the present invention are also described.

Abstract: RNA such as messenger RNA is digested to nucleotide phosphates including AMP or ADP. The ATP or a byproduct of the phosphorylation, e.g., pyruvate, is detected. Exemplary enzymes used (with appropriate co-reactants and co-factors) are: (1) polynucleotide phosphorylase, pyruvate kinase and luciferase, or (2) phosphodiesterase (or RNase), myokinase, pyruvate kinase and luciferase. The phosphorylation to ATP (e.g., with pyruvate kinase) is preferably coupled with the previous (reversible) enzymatic step.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the determination of human serum factors which are specific for human carcinomata antigens, in which method the serum of a patient with a carcinoma is incubated with CEA that has been radioactively labeled and anti-goat immunoglobulin serum in toto or depleted of the cross-reaction capacity for human IgA, IgG and IgM is added, then the whole mass is incubated and centrifugated, the supernatant is decanted and the precipitate is counted with a gamma counter. These specific serum factors are employed as a marker of primitive tumoral forms.

Abstract: The invention is related to improved nucleic acid reagents comprising arrays of nucleic acid fragments and combinations of such fragments. The preparation of such fragments by recombinant DNA techniques and their use in sandwich hybridization methods is also described. By making different combinations of the nucleic acid fragments--some labeled and some affixed to solid carriers, it is possible to create kits for the identification of e.g. veneral diseases.The improved nucleic acid reagents comprise two series of at least two alternating nucleic acid fragments, which are homologous to sequences in the nucleic acid to be identified, one of the series being labeled and one affixed to a solid carrier. Nucleic acid fragments belonging to different series must not be homologous to each other.Sandwich hybridization tests performed with arrays of nucleic acid fragments are at least four times as sensitive as sandwich hybridization tests performed with reagents belonging to the prior art.

Abstract: A viral lysis immunoassay system and method. The system includes hemolytic particles carrying non-viral, anti-analyte molecules, lysable target cells which are devoid of surface molecules capable of binding to endogenous viral surface molecules, and foreign binding molecules added to the target cells. The binding molecules, which may be either analyte molecules or analyte-related molecules attached to the target cell surfaces, function to bind the particles to the cells, to initiate cell lysis and the release of encapsulated reporter molecules from the cells. The analyte to be assayed may be one adapted to bridge the virus particles to analyte-related molecules carried on the cell surfaces, or one which competes with target-cell molecules for binding to the particle anti-analyte molecules.

Abstract: A target nucleotide sequence having a half-restriction site is determined in the nucleic acid of a biological sample. It is contacted with a reagent complex of:(i) a labeled probe polynucleotide containing a target binding region which is substantially complementary to the target nucleotide sequence and which contains a unique half-restriction site completely complementary to the half-restriction site of the target nucleotide sequence; and(ii) a second polynucleotide hybridized to the labeled probe polynucleotide in at least a portion of the target binding region, the portion including the unique half-restriction site of the target binding region;The second polynucleotide contains at least one mismatched or unpaired nucleotide opposite to the unique half-restriction site of the labeled probe polynucleotide, whereby a restriction enzyme specific for the unique restriction site will not cleave the reagent complex.

Abstract: Reagent complexes containing a probe polynucleotide with at least two target binding regions. A labeled polynucleotide is bound to at least a portion of each target binding region. In one method, sample nucleic acid displaces labeled polynucleotide from one target binding region; after washing, a reagent polynucleotide displaces labeled polynucleotide from the other target binding region. In a second method, sample nucleic acid strands having two target nucleic acid sequences in proximity (e.g., sequences translocated in certain cancers) displace the labeled polynucleotide from both target binding region.

Abstract: Competitive or inhibition assays are disclosed in which sample (e.g., containing target antigen), a reagent containing first particles (e.g., antibody-coated light particles) and a reagent containing second particles (e.g., antigen coated heavy particles) are reacted in a centrifugal field. Differential migration of first particles, of second particles and of first particles linked to second particles leaves a concentration of particles at a locus in solution after a time, which concentration is a function of the analyte concentration in the sample.

Abstract: A sample is mixed with a reagent containing stably suspended particles coated with a binding pair member complementary to or competitive with the target binding pair member. A centrifugal force applied during reaction is sufficient to change the concentration of particles at a locus relative to overall particle concentration. Light transmission or scattering is measured kinetically at the locus, especially in a microcentrifugal analyzer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target polynucleotide sequence in a sample uses a labelled polynucleotide secondary probe, and a polynucleotide primary probe having sequences complementary to both the target and the secondary probe. The sample, immobilized or in solution is hybridized with the primary probe; and the labelled secondary probe is also hybridized with the primary probe. The method permits the production of a labelled secondary probe which can be used in conjuction with many different primary probes for different hybridization reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier such as polyethylene having covalently bound to it a reaction component such as an antibody, for use for immune determinations. The reaction component is covalently bound via heterobifunctional photoactivatable compounds, one group of which is found by an aryl azide group. Protein A may be bound covalently to the carrier via heterobifunctional photoactivatable compounds, and antibodies bound to the protein A.

Abstract: A panel of monoclonal antibodies is developed for use in diagnosis and treatment of renal carcinoma. One monoclonal antibody F.sub.31 reacts with 80% of renal carcinoma. The area of overlap of reactivity of monoclonal antibodies F.sub.31, F.sub.23, S.sub.4, S.sub.23 and S.sub.27 is the site of origin of most renal carcinomas. Reactivity with this panel of monoclonal antibodies localizes most renal carcinoma and is a vehicle for early diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: A method for immunoassay of an analyte in a fluid includes contacting the analyte with an antianalyte to give a bound fraction. The bound fraction activates the first component of complement whereby a substrate present in the fluid is modulated to provide a detectable signal. The signal may be detected to establish the presence or absence of the analyte in the fluid, or it may be quantitatively measured to determine the concentration of the analyte in the fluid. The invention includes a kit of materials useful in performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: An immunoreagent useful to diagnose Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is provided. The immunoreagent comprises tracer tagged antibodies which are selectively reactive with lymphoid cells of AIDS infected tissue. The antibodies are obtained from marmoset monkeys which are either afflicted with or have recovered from Marmoset wasting syndrome. The immunoreagent is employed in a method to diagnose AIDS in a suspected carrier. The method involves admixing the immunoreagent such as marmoset serum or purified immunoglobulins together with lymphoid tissue samples taken from the suspected carrier. After incubating the admixture under appropriate conditions favorable for the formation of an immune complex, the samples are assayed for a positive immune reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to the detection of biological substances and is particularly though not exclusively applicable to labelling techniques employing antibodies or other specific binding agents. Thus the invention consists in a method for the detection of a biological substance of interest (optionally in an environment of biological cells) in which a marker substance is linked specifically, directly or indirectly, to the substance of interest, the marker substance being selected to act as a catalyst in a subsequent process of reduction of silver using a developing solution.