Abstract: The invention relates to a photolinker macromolecule comprising photoactivable groups and sulfur-containing groups, which is attached to a metallic substrate, and optionally covalently bonded to a ligand, and the use thereof in biosensor systems, microarrays, nanoparticles, nanoassemblies and microparticles useful in bioanalytics, or the pharmaceutical, or textile industry.

Abstract: Methods of chemical and biochemical functionalization of yarn and textile products are described. A yarn or textile product is contacted with a linker molecule comprising two or more photochemically activatable chemical groups and a non-linker molecule having a desired property. Photochemical activation of the chemical groups causes covalent attachment of the non-linker molecule to the yarn or textile product by means of the linker molecule in a single step. The methods are particularly useful for immobilization to yarn or textile of biomolecules that are susceptible to denaturation. Use of linker molecules derived from proteins or polysaccharides further minimizes denaturation of the biomolecule.

Abstract: In a dextran coated surface disposed on a carrier, the connections between the dextran and the carrier surface are formed by a photolinker, the dextran coating being attached to the carrier surface by co-immobilization of a mixture of dextran and the photolinker.

Abstract: Surface treatment of organic polymer materials and material surfaces with oligo- or polysaccharide as passivation agent for deliberate alteration of the sorption properties, the diffusion barrier function, lubricative wetting and/or biocompatibility of organic polymers, is described. The passivating agent is derivatized with chemical entities that allow tight adsorption and/or covalent binding of the passivating agent to organic polymers or elastomer surfaces. The passivating agent may be derivatized with a primary functional group to allow covalent surface passivation by photo- or thermal activation of the derivative. The passivating agent may comprise one or more secondary functional groups that allow covalent binding of probe molecules and receptors to the passivated surface. The surface treatment improves the biocompatibility of medical devices and the performance of bioanalytical systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simplified method for identifying differences in nucleic acid abundances (e.g., expression levels) between two or more samples. The methods involve providing an array containing a large number (e.g. greater then 1,000) of arbitrarily selected different oligonucleotide probes where the sequence and location of each different probe is known. Nucleic acid samples (e.g. mRNA) from two or more samples are hybridized to the probe arrays and the pattern of hybridization is detected. Differences in the hybridization patterns between the samples indicates differences in expression of various genes between those samples. This invention also provides a method o end-labeling a nucleic acid. In one embodiment, the method involves providing a nucleic acid, providing a labelled oligonucleotide and then enzymatically ligating the oligonucleotide to the nucleic acid. Thus, for example, where the nucleic acid is an RNA, a labeled oligoribonucleotide can be ligated using an RNA ligase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the modification of a material surface comprising the steps of (a1) photochemically fixing one or more different compounds of formula onto the material surface, or (a2) photochemically fixing a compound of formula onto the material surface and subsequently converting the —ZH groups to —Z—X moieties, wherein the variables each have the meanings as given in the claims; and (b) enzymatically attaching one or more further carbohydrates to the X radicals of the modified surface obtained according to stop (a1) or (a2). The materials obtainable by the process of the invention are useful, for example, for the manufacture of biomedical devices including biosensors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the treatment, transport and/or storage of a substrate plate (10) on which has been deposited at least one micro-network (12) of samples of compounds to be tested.

Abstract: This document describes an optical sensor unit and a procedure for the specific detection and identification of biomolecules at high sensitivity in real fluids and tissue homogenates. High detection limits are reached by the combination of i) label-free integrated optical detection of molecular interactions, ii) the use of specific bioconstituents for sensitive detection and iii) planar optical transducer surfaces appropriately engineered for suppression of non-specific binding, internal referencing and calibration. Applications include the detection of prion proteins and identification of those biomolecules which non-covalently interact with surface immobilized prion proteins and are intrinsically involved in the cause of prion related disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device including a substrate and at least one biologically active substance bound to at least a part of the surface of this substrate, which is obtained by simultaneous or sequential reaction of said substrate and of said substance with a bifunctional coupling agent in which one of the functional groups is capable of being photoactivated and generates carbenes and is used to bind the coupling agent to the inorganic substrate and the other functional group is used to bind the coupling agent to the biologically active substance, in which said substrate is a covalent inorganic nitride.