Abstract: The present invention describes methods and cassettes for cell-based toxin detection and organ localization. The cassettes includes an array containing cells and a matrix of openings or depressions, wherein each region of the substrate enclosed by the opening or depression in the matrix forms a domain individually addressable by microfluidic channels in the device.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices having a computer for correcting for electrokinetic effects are provided. Methods of correcting for electrokinetic effects by establishing the velocity of reactants and products in a reaction in electrokinetic microfluidic devices are also provided. These microfluidic devices can have substrates with channels, depressions, and/or wells for moving, mixing and monitoring precise amounts of analyte fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluorescent conjugate comprising a biological reagent, a fluorescent molecule, and a means for impeding phototoxic degradation of the biological reagent. The impeding means can be a cross-linking substance having a long molecular distance, whereby the cross-linking substance links the fluorescent molecule and the biological reagent; a quencher of singlet oxygen; a quencher of a free radical; or a combination thereof. Also disclosed is a solution comprising a fluorescent conjugate of a biological reagent and a fluorescent molecule together with an oxygen depleting system.

Abstract: An immunoassay method including reacting a sample from a patient with a bispecific antibody, wherein the bispecific antibody includes one antibody specific for a compound to be detected and a second antibody specific for a compound foreign to said patient sample, and subsequently reacting the patient sample with a polymer probe, wherein the polymer probe includes a compound recognized by the second antibody in the bispecific antibody complex and further includes at least two detectable signals; the bispecific antibody; and the polymer probe of the immunoassay method are disclosed.

Abstract: A prenatal screening method for Down's syndrome involves assaying for hyperglycosylated gonadotropin in biological test samples such as urine, plasma or serum obtained from pregnant women. Hyperglycosylated gonadotropin comprises a variant population of chorionic gonadotropin, chorionic gonadotropin-free &bgr;-subunit, &bgr;-core fragment, and/or free &agr;-subunit exhibiting differences in the carbohydrate content from what is observed in samples obtained from pregnant women carrying normal fetuses. Qualitative or quantitative observation of differences in the carbohydrate content of the hyperglycosylated gonadotropin population from corresponding control samples containing a normal gonadotropin population, or direct observation of the variant species seen in Down's syndrome, indicates that the woman's fetus has Down's syndrome. Typical screens involve carbohydrate analyses, immunoassays, or combinations of these methods.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a subject has had a stroke and, if so, the type of stroke which includes analyzing the subject's body fluid for at least four selected markers of stroke, namely, myelin basic protein, S100 protein, neuronal specific enolase and a brain endothelial membrane protein such as thrombomodulin or a similar molecule. The data obtained from the analyses provide information as to the type of stroke, the onset of occurrence and the extent of brain damage and allow a physician to determine quickly the type of treatment required by the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that are specific for the protein thymidylate synthase, and hybridomas producing these monoclonal antibodies. The invention further relates to methods of detection and diagnostic kits to test for the presence of thymidylate synthase. The invention also relates to the use of the monoclonal antibodies in determining the presence of colon carcinoma cells.