Abstract: The invention relates to novel competitive immunoassays that are useful in detecting and quantitatively measuring analytes down to the nanomolar range. The invention also includes methods of selecting antibodies from libraries of polypeptides expressed on a cell surface. In conducting immunoassays, anti-analyte antibody molecules are expressed on the surface of a bacterial cell and then used to bind with labeled analyte. Quantitation is performed by competitively displacing the bound labeled analyte with a known amount of analyte and measuring the label. The method is rapid and inexpensive and may be performed with readily available safe labeling reagents such as fluorescent compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesizing N-substituted 1,4-piperazines and N-substituted 1,4-piperazinediones. The invention also provides a method for synthesing combinatorial libraries of piperazine derivatives which can be assayed for biological activity in pre-specified ligand binding or enzymatic activity screens.

Abstract: A method for in-vivo targeting a functional moiety in a patient by administering a targeting moiety coupled to an affinity component, wherein the targeting moiety has affinity for binding sites in a target area, and administering a binding partner to the affinity component coupled to a functional moiety to localize the functional moiety in the target area. Preferably the targeting moiety is an antibody and the functional moiety is a radiometal when performing in vivo imaging or therapy. The affinity component may be a novel methotrexate analog.

Abstract: Compositions comprising novel chemical libraries are prepared. The compositions of the present invention are useful as antibacterial and other pharmaceutical agents and as intermediates for preparation other pharmaceutical agents. In addition, compounds of the present invention are useful as research reagents.

Abstract: An analytic instrument utilizing a Control Arena Network (CANBUS) and nodal architecture in the instrument with functions and logic distributed throughout the Nodes. A system controller is connected on the one hand to an operator input device for controlling the instrument, and on the other hand to a plurality of nodes via a CAN scrambler. Each nodes has a CAN microcontroller and related circuitry for performing autonomously a variety of functions of the instrument. The system controller and nodes communicate using CAN interface devices over the CANBUS, passing instructions, commands and data therebetween.

Abstract: A synthetic antibody mimic comprising multiple peptide loops built on an organic or molecular scaffold. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, a calixarene unit comprises the organic scaffold to which is attached a plurality of peptide loops. The antibody mimics allow for the generation of large libraries of artificial antibodies that can be screened for binding to target antigens.