Abstract: A hydrophobic polymer such as polysulfone or polyethersulfone is modified to contain an increased number of functionalizable chain ends such as by treating with an alkali hydroxide to provide hydroxyl groups. A linker is covalently bonded to a chain end of the polymer and a macromolecule is covalently bonded to the linker. A ligand may be covalently bonded to the macromolecule. The macromolecule can be a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer or a biologically active species. The hydrophobic polymer is preferably in the form of a microporous membrane. By the use of a four-component dope composition, substantially isotropic microporous structures in the form of flat sheets or hollow fibers are produced. An improved spinnerette assembly is provided for the production of hollow fibers.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for intracellular staining of anionic materials as provided. The inherent staining characteristics of a fluorescent molecule may be suitably altered by covalently linking a plurality of said molecules to a nonimmunoglobulin derived cationic polymer having the desired staining specificity. By careful selection of the net charge and size of the dye polymer complex, diffusion through the cellular membrane can be enhanced and an enhanced fluorescent signal obtained by localization of a plurality of fluorescent molecules at the site of interest.

Abstract: An immunological substance detecting reagent is provided which, in the preferred embodiment, employs an immunological homolog specific for the immunological substance to be detected coupled to a water-soluble polymer having a net charge not greater than zero. The water-soluble polymer further has associated a plurality of marker substances such as fluorophore molecules thereby providing a reagent of increased sensitivity for the detection of an antigen-antibody immunological reaction.