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: A waveguide-based sensing system includes a plurality of waveguides secured within a waveguide holder. Each waveguide has a sensing surface with athed analyte recognition elements. The end faces of the sensing surfaces are perpendicular (or at least approximately perpendicular) to the sensing surfaces. The sensing surfaces are directly excited by light directed normal thereto and emit optical signals responsive to the presence of an analyte. These optical signals are coupled into the waveguides. The optical signals travel along the length of the waveguides to the end surfaces, which integrate the optical signals over the length of the waveguides. The integrated optical signals emitted from the end surfaces of the fibers are then detected and analyzed.

Abstract: A displacement-type flow immunoassay is performed using a microcapillary sage. The inner wall of the microcapillary passage has immobilized thereon antibodies to the antigen of interest. Labeled antigen is immunologically bound to the immobilized antibodies. Sample antigen passing through the column displaces the labeled antigen. Downstream, the displaced labeled antigen is detected. The microcapillary format of the present invention enhances the sensitivity of the immunoassay over the sensitivity of displacement-type flow immunoassays performed in a column at similar flow rates.

Abstract: Irradiating, with ultraviolet light, surfaces which contain thiol groups, epoxy groups, or vicinal diol groups, results in surfaces which exhibit a reduced adsorption of biomolecules. In the case of surfaces having thiol groups such irradiation also results in a reduced capacity for the bonding of heterobifunctional crosslinking reagents. Such irradiation may be carried out in a patternwise fashion to obtain patterned surfaces.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention relates to a method of rapid detection and identification of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae and fungi. The method involves staining all microorganisms or fragments thereof in a sample. The stained sample is introduced onto an optical waveguide coated with a capture molecule specific for the microorganism of interest, and the bound microorganism or fragment thereof is then optically detected. For example, detection of B. anthracis and Salmonella was achieved in times of approximately one minute. The sensitivity of this method is on the order of about 3 cells/.mu.l.

Abstract: Irradiating, with ultraviolet light, surfaces which contain thiol groups, epoxy groups, or vicinal diol groups, results in surfaces which exhibit a reduced adsorption of biomolecules. In the case of surfaces having thiol groups such irradiation also results in a reduced capacity for the bonding of heterobifunctional crosslinking reagents. Such irradiation may be carried out in a patternwise fashion to obtain patterned surfaces.

Abstract: A dry reagent prepared by lyophilizing a labelled ligand-immobilized receptor complex or a labelled receptor-immobilized ligand complex is, on rehydration, useful for detecting analytes in samples in a variety of displacement assays.

Abstract: This invention relates to a semiconductor substrate having a porous surface nd to the amperometric receptor-based sensors formed with the substrate. More specifically, this invention pertains to the substrate in the form of a bipolar junction transistor having a porous hydrophilic surface directly on its base wherein the surface forms a support for an amperometric sensor. The invention also pertains to the methods of making and using the substrate and sensor.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target moiety comprising the steps of (a) providing an antibody specific to the target, (b) saturating the binding sites of the antibody with a labelled form of the target, (c) flowing a liquid containing the target past the saturated antibody, thereby (d) allowing the target to displace the labelled antigen, and (e) detecting the displaced labelled antigen with a detector for the label.

Abstract: This invention relates to a semiconductor substrate having a porous surface nd to the amperometric receptor-based sensors formed with the substrate. More specifically, this invention pertains to the substrate in the form of a bipolar junction transistor having a porous hydrophilic surface directly on its base wherein the surface forms a support for an amperometric sensor. The invention also pertains to the methods of making and using the substrate and sensor.

Abstract: Ligand-label conjugates which are an oligopeptide of 5 to 100 amino acid residues, bonded to a ligand or receptor, which contain a plurality of chemiluminescent or fluorescent labels and a plurality of polyoxoanions of sulfur or phosphorus are useful for immunoassays. Such conjugates are hydrophilic and exhibit very low nonspecific binding, thereby significantly increasing the signal to background ratio in immunoassays.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention is an apparatus and method for the detection of endotoxin via a competitive assay.