Abstract: Kits are provided for prenatal screening tests for risk of Down's syndrome which are carried out on a maternal serum sample obtained before the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy. The kits contain immunoassay means to determine alpha-fetoprotein, unconjugated oestriol, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and/or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).

Abstract: A method for detecting the interaction between an oligomeric molecule and a target is provided. A plurality of beads is applied to a substrate, each bead having associated therewith multiple copies of only a single oligomeric molecule. The beads are substantially spaced-apart from one another and are substantially immobilized on the substrate. Conditions are applied such that a substantial portion of the multiple copies associated with each bead can disassociate from and diffuse into the substrate, the substrate constructed and arranged to permit only substantially localized diffusion. A localized signal occurring as a result of the diffusion is detected. Coated beads and libraries of coated beads also are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies which react with fibrinogen fragments E1, E2 and E3 raised by immunizing with a peptide. The invention also relates to assay methods for proteins containing an epitope which is common to fibrinogen fragments E1, E2 and E3 using these antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for monitoring chemicals used to prevent corrosion in industrial water containers. The invention is useful for chemicals such as polymers, in particular water soluble, vinyl polymers. Monoclonal antibodies are used in assays to determine the presence or concentration of the chemicals in a fluid, in particular water used in industrial systems.

Abstract: Acridans which are reactable with a peroxidase and peroxide. The acridans are characterized by having an aromatic leaving group ArO which is a di- or polyhalosubstituted phenoxy group. The compounds are useful in assays where one member of a binding pair is linked to the peroxidase and for detecting the peroxidase. The method can also be used to detect hydrogen peroxide.

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 chemiluminescent 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: Method and apparatus for simple and rapid preparation of reusable, addressable surface-immobilized arrays of biomolecules (libraries) used for screening for interaction with any biologically significant target. A special plate having on its surface a plurality of discreet functionalized substrate areas, typically in arrays of 10.times.10 to 400.times.400, is provided for chemical synthesis or bonding thereon of desired families of biomolecules (e.g. peptides, DNA, RNA, oligosaccharides). In the case of peptides, such as hexapeptides, the resulting permanently hexapeptide-loaded plate is a reusable Addressable Synthetic Peptide Combinatorial Library (ASPCL), in which 1 to 3 (typically two) of the positions in the sequence are uniquely identified by the address location. Plate embodiments include substrates of physically bonded (e.g.

Abstract: A method to determine reactivity of a candidate compound with a target receptor which method does not require the physical presence of the receptor is disclosed. By providing a formula for treating data obtained from a reference set of receptors which is predictive of reactivity with the target receptor, the compound to be tested can be physically assessed with respect to the reference receptors, the formula applied, and reactivity with the actual target receptor may be predicted.

Abstract: A time-resolved luminescence binding assay is described including a metal-labelled binding partner comprising a luminescent transition metal complex covalently attached to a binding partner such as an antigen or antibody. The metal-labelled binding partner, and a process for preparing said metal-labelled binding partner are described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simple and rapid preparation of reusable, addressable surface-immobilized arrays of biomolecules (libraries) used for screening for interaction with any biologically significant target. A special plate having on or in its surface a plurality of discreet functionalized substrate areas, typically in arrays of 10.times.10 to 400.times.400, is provided for chemical synthesis or bonding thereon of desired families of biomolecules (e.g. peptides, DNA, RNA, oligosaccharides). In the case of peptides, such as hexapeptides, the resulting permanently hexapeptide-loaded plate is a reusable Addressable Synthetic Peptide Combinatorial Library (ASPCL), in which 1 to 3 (typically two) of the positions in the sequence are uniquely identified by the address location. The preferred plate embodiment employs an HPMP wink of porous polyolefin removably received in holes in the plate. A unique multi-slot block assembly is used to prepare the ASPCLs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of screening for compounds which inhibit the direct binding of Ras or Raf-binding fragments thereof to Raf or Ras binding fragments thereof.

Abstract: Polypeptides, sets and libraries of sets of polypeptides that are related in sequence to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 are disclosed that have antimicrobial, hemolytic and hydrolytically catalytic activities, as are processes for making and using the same. A contemplated set is a mixture of equimolar amounts of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2. Particularly preferred polypeptides include those of SEQ ID NOs:3-9.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules which code for proteins or polypeptides that exhibit the antigenicity of a P14 allergen of birch Betula verrucosa and other plants of the order Fagales, and for polypeptides comprising at least one epitope thereof, as well as nucleic acids which under stringent conditions hybridize with such DNA sequences or are derivable from such sequences by degeneracy of the genetic code. A method is provided that permits purification of P14 allergens or cross-reactive allergens by means of binding to poly(L-proline). In addition, methods are described for making the proteins and polypeptides coded by these DNA molecules and their use in the diagnosis or therapy of allergic diseases.

Abstract: Stabilized microspherical particles having hydrophobic liquid cores prepared as oil-in-water microemulsions. The particles are stabilized by a surface layer comprising an amphiphilic compound and may be functionalized to allow covalent coupling of a ligand to the surface of the particle. When used as tracers in assays, a water insoluble dye may be incorporated in the core liquid of the microparticles.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising (a) a metal chelate wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of europium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium osmium and ruthenium in at least a hexacoordinated state and (b) a compound having a double bond substituted with two aryl groups, an oxygen atom and an atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen wherein one of the aryl groups is electron donating with respect to the other. Such composition is preferably incorporated in a latex particulate material. Methods and kits are also disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. The methods and kits employ as one component a composition as described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems of unhindered construction and display of tethered organic ligand molecules, and more particularly to preparation and use of thin film, substantially non-crosslinked hydrophilic polar multi-functionalized polymers (HPMPs) anchored to a variety of functionalized substrates so that the HPMP forms a thin film matrix layer providing a unique highly hydrated, high dielectric environment equivalent to an aqueous solution, for affinity binding of Ligands (L) to Tagged Target Molecules (TTMs). Ligands, and especially MER.sub.n ligand libraries such as peptide libraries, are singly tethered to the HPMP by a "permanent" strong covalent bond so that subsequent displacement of the TTM does not also displace the ligand from the HPMP, thereby making the HPMP tethered Ligand library reusable. The HPMP thin film is on the order of 200-2000 .ANG.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for labeling or detecting one or more target materials using surface coated fluorescent microparticles with unique characteristics. The unique microparticles used to practice the invention have at least two components: an external substance or coating that is selective for each target material and an internal mixture of multiple fluorescent dyes. The mixture of dyes is 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 for the microparticle that is controlled through selection of appropriate dyes. The unique microparticles are combined with a sample thought to contain the target material(s), so that the microparticles label the target materials.

Abstract: Encoded combinatorial chemistry is provided, where sequential synthetic schemes are recorded using organic molecules, which define choice of reactant, and stage, as the same or different bit of information. Various products can be produced in the multi-stage synthesis, such as oligomers and synthetic non-repetitive organic molecules. Conveniently, nested families of compounds can be employed as identifiers, where number and/or position of a substituent define the choice. Alternatively, detectable functionalities may be employed, such as radioisotopes, fluorescers, halogens, and the like, where presence and ratios of two different groups can be used to define stage or choice. Particularly, pluralities of identifiers may be used to provide a binary or higher code, so as to define a plurality of choices with only a few detachable tags. The particles may be screened for a characteristic of interest, particularly binding affinity, where the products may be detached from the particle or retained on the particle.

Abstract: Peptides which bind to selected ligands are identified by screening peptide libraries which encode a random or controlled collection of amino acid sequences. A rapid and convenient iterative strategy is employed to determine the peptide sequences which bind to the ligand of interest. The peptides so identified can be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents, or in the design of lead compounds for such uses.

Abstract: Compounds having detergent properties are disclosed. When a modifying reagent is brought into contact with these compounds, the detergent properties are decreased. These compounds are useful, for example, as solubilizing agents for microbial antigens and/or antibodies and for reversibly wetting hydrophobic surfaces. Accordingly, methods are disclosed for increasing the hydrophilic properties of a material, such as a microbial antigen and/or antibody, the methods generally comprising the steps of contacting the material with the compound having detergent properties and a modifiable group, and modifying the compound with a modifying reagent. Kits are also disclosed for use in accordance with this methodology.