Abstract: A biometric verification method for verifying the authenticity of a fingerprint acquisition of a reference image of a reference fingerprint including acquisition of a candidate image of a candidate fingerprint, geometric comparison between the geometric characteristic of the pattern of said reference print and the geometric characteristic of the pattern of said candidate print extracted from the acquired images, determination of geometric coherence between said reference print and said candidate print as a function of the result of the geometric comparison step and of the reference and candidate digital geometric configuration information extracted from the acquired images, and decision-making as to the authenticity of said candidate fingerprint as a function of the result of the geometric coherence determination step.

Abstract: Light emitting compounds of the formula: wherein R1 is a light-emitting moiety and R2 is a VIP-based peptide, fragment, derivative or analog thereof, said peptide being linked at an amino acid position to (C—X), wherein (C—X) is selected from the group consisting of C═O, C═S, CH(OH), C═C═O, C═NH, CH2, CH(OR), CH(NR), CH(R), CR3R4, and C(OR3)OR4 where R, R3, and R4 are alkyl moieties or substituted alkyl moieties, wherein said compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of a receptor having affinity for VIP-based peptides.

Abstract: Light emitting compounds of the formula: wherein R1 is a light-emitting moiety and R2 is a substance P-based peptide, fragment, derivative or analog thereof, said peptide being linked at an amino acid position to (C—X), wherein (C—X) is selected from the group consisting of C═O, C═S, CH(OH), C═C═O, C═NH, CH2, CH(OR), CH(NR), CH(R), CR3R4, and C(OR3)OR4 where R, R3, and R4 are alkyl moieties or substituted alkyl moieties, wherein said compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of a receptor having affinity for substance P-based peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides biologically active compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a light-emitting moiety and R.sub.7 is a peptide of between 2 and 200 amino acids. X is selected from the group including .dbd.O, .dbd.S, --OH, .dbd.C.tbd.O, .dbd.NH, --H, --OR, --NR, --R, --R.sub.3 R.sub.4, wherein each R, R.sub.4 and R.sub.3, independently, is H or a C1-C6 branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl. The compounds are both biologically active and optically detectable. The peptide is chemically attached to the light-emitting moiety at an amino acid position which is not involved in binding to the peptide's receptor. In this way, the peptide's affinity for its receptor is not significantly decreased, and the compound retains high biological activity and can be easily detected using standard optical means.

Abstract: Light-emitting compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a light-emitting moiety and R.sub.2 is a somatostatin-based peptide featuring a first amino acid sequence -Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr- or (SEQ ID NO:1) or -Phe-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-. The peptide is linked at a first amino acid position to (C-X), and the light-emitting compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of a receptor having affinity for somatostatin-based peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compound having the formula: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt thereof, wherein R is a polypeptide moiety comprises an amino acid sequence:-Y-Arg-Pro-Z-Ile-Leu;wherein Y is Arg, andZ is Tyr or Trp;R.sub.1 is a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, rhodamine, Blue fluorescent and Texas red; andX is oxygen or sulfur. The present invention also relates to a method for the labeling of neurotensin receptors on cell surface and a method to isolate neurotensin-receptor expressing cells.

Abstract: Light-emitting compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a light-emitting moiety and R.sub.2 is a somatostatin-based peptide featuring a first amino acid sequence --Phe--Phe--Trp--Lys--Thr-- (SEQ ID NO:1) or --Phe--Phe--D--Trp--Lys--Thr--. The peptide is linked at a first amino acid position to (C--X), and the light-emitting compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of a receptor having affinity for somatostatin-based peptides.