Abstract: A multimode waveguide device for assays includes a multimode waveguide with a patterned, reflective surface coating. The exposed portion or portions of the reflectively coated waveguide surface are for analyte recognition. A fluidics cell is attached to the waveguide so that the channel or channels of the fluidics cell match with the exposed portion or portions of the waveguide surface. The channel or channels direct one or more sample fluids over the exposed portion or portions of the waveguide surface. The reflective coating minimizes loss and scattering of excitation and fluorescence light during a fluorescence assay.

Abstract: The present invention reveals the cloning of four genes involved in the catabolism of chitin in Vibrio furnissii: endI encodes periplasmic chitodextrinase, exoI encodes periplasmic .beta.-N-acetylglucosaminidase, exoII encodes aryl .beta.-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and chiA encodes extracellular chitinase. The complete nucleotide sequence for each of the four genes and the complete amino acid for the corresponding enzymes are demonstrated along with host cells capable of expressing the recombinant enzymes. The present invention also describes four specific strains of V. furnissii having deletions in genes involved in the catabolic pathway of chitin and a process for the production of chitin oligosaccharides.