Abstract: The invention relates to sensor chips with multiple layers of polysiloxane with improve homogeneity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting and/or determining the concentration of a ligand contained in a solution to be analyzed, during which a receptor, which can enter into a specific bond with the ligand, is immobilized on a semiconductor chip at a test location. In order to bind the ligand to the receptor, the solution is applied to the test location. A luminescence radiation or a color change is generated according to the binding of the ligand to the receptor. A radiation measurement signal is picked up with the aid of a radiation receiver integrated in the semiconductor chip, whereas the solution and/or an auxiliary liquid that does not contain the luminophore is in contact with the radiation receiver. While the generation of luminescence radiation is prevented and the radiation receiver is in contact with the auxiliary liquid and/or with a substitute liquid, a darkness measurement signal is measured for the radiation receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining point mutations by means of DNA microarrays and TIRF excitation. According to said method, bonding of nucleic acids to short DNA probes on a microarray is measured at different temperatures. Melting point curves are generated from the measured values and the difference in the melting point curves between the probe for the wild-type DNA and the probe for the corresponding mutated DNA is generated. The position of said curves makes it possible to unambiguously decide whether the point mutation is a homozygous DNA or a heterozygous DNA and what type of homozygosity it is.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting at least one luminescent substance, comprising a radiation source for emitting excitation radiation to the at least one luminescent substance. The excitation radiation is provided with at least one excitation wavelength at which the luminescent substance is excited so as to emit luminescent radiation. At least one radiation receiver is provided, which detects the luminescent radiation and is configured regarding the spectral sensitivity thereof in such a way that said radiation receiver is insensitive to the radiation emitted by the radiation source. The luminescent substance is located inside a measuring chamber that is essentially impermeable to the luminescent radiation and comprises at least one wall area which is transparent to the excitation radiation emitted by the radiation source.

Abstract: In a process for determining the concentrations of ligands (9, 10) in a sample to be analyzed, ligands (9) of a first ligand type are bond-specific for receptors (6) of a first receptor type, and ligands (10) of a second ligand type are bond-specific for receptors (8) of a second receptor type. A first receptor (6) of the first receptor type is immobilized at least one first test site (5), and a second receptor (8) of the second receptor type is immobilized at a second test site (7) on a substrate (23). A third receptor (11) of the second receptor type is mixed with the sample in such a way that it is present in a specified concentration in the mixture that is obtained in this manner. The mixture is caused to contact the substrate in such a way that at least one ligand (9) of the first ligand type can bind to the first receptor (6) and ligands (10) of the second ligand type can bind to the second receptor (8) and to the third receptor (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to polyfunctional polymer monolayers (polymer brushes) comprising a multitude of polymer chains attached to a surface, with each polymer chain comprising a multitude of units carrying at least on functional group which allows the interaction of the polymer chain with a sample molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the covalent immobilization of probe biomolecules on organic surfaces, by means of photoreactive cross-linking agents which are used to covalently immobilize the probe biomolecules on organic surfaces, or to covalently bind said probe biomolecules to soluble polymers or copolymers that are then covalently immobilized on an organic surface.

Abstract: An integrated sensor array has a substrates, at least one sensor element, and a signal processing device integrated in the substrate and connected or capable of being connected with the sensor elements. A layer having a measuring surface is capable of being detachably bonded to the substrate so that a signal emitted from the measuring surface is capable of being processed by the signal processing device when the layer is bonded to the substrate. The substrate has at least one feedthrough hole abutting with the layer, which feedthrough hole is connected or capable of being connected to a vacuum generating device in order to bond the layer to the substrate by suction.

Abstract: In a procedure for determining the concentrations of ligands contained in a sample wherein a first ligand is bond-specific to a first receptor and a second ligand is bond-specific to a second receptor, the first receptor is immobilized on a first test site and the second receptor is immobilized on a second test site on a substrate. A competitor that is bond-specific to the second receptor is mixed with the sample so that it is present in a predetermined concentration in the mixture. The mixture is brought into contact with the substrate so that the first ligand and the second ligand and/or the competitor bind to the first receptor and the second receptor, respectively. Afterwards the unbound components of the mixture are removed from the substrate. A first metering signal relative to the concentration of the first ligand bound to the first receptor and a second metering signal relative to the concentration of the competitor bound to the second receptor are then generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of biotechnology. The invention particularly relates to a composition and process for stabilizing or preserving biological molecules, as well as devices that comprise correspondingly stabilized or preserved biomolecules.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a sensor chip a support is prepared having at least one surface region in which at least one reactive group is arranged. A buffer solution is applied to the surface region for coating at least one surface region. Then, at least one receptor having binding specificity for a ligand to be detected is brought into contact with the surface coating so obtained in such a manner that said receptor binds covalently to at least one reactive group.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a sensor surface with an improved signal/noise ratio that is based on a blocking reagent covalently immobilized on the sensor surface, as well as apparatuses comprising such surfaces and methods for the use of same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting at least one luminescent substance, comprising a radiation source for emitting excitation radiation to the at least one luminescent substance. The excitation radiation is provided with at least one excitation wavelength at which the luminescent substance is excited so as to emit luminescent radiation. At least one radiation receiver is provided, which detects the luminescent radiation and is configured regarding the spectral sensitivity thereof in such a way that said radiation receiver is insensitive to the radiation emitted by the radiation source. The luminescent substance is located inside a measuring chamber that is essentially impermeable to the luminescent radiation and comprises at least one wall area which is transparent to the excitation radiation emitted by the radiation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting at least one ligand contained in a sample that is to be analyzed. Said device comprises an optical waveguide, on the surface of which at least one ligand-specific receptor is directly or indirectly immobilized. The ligand bonds to said receptor during contact therewith. The inventive device comprises at least one optical source of radiation for injecting excitation radiation into the waveguide, the radiation being used for exciting emission of luminescence radiation in accordance with the bonding of the ligand to the receptor. At least one radiation receiver is integrated into the semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor chip so as to detect the luminescence radiation. The waveguide is integrated in a monolithic manner into the semiconductor substrate or is applied thereupon as a wave-guiding layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a concentration of ligands in an analyzed sample. The inventive method consists in immobilizing receptors specifically boundable with said ligands on a support. At least one measured value of the occupation of the support surface by the receptors is determined by means of a sensor for the surface occupation. Afterwards, the sample is put in contact with the receptors. At least one measured value of the frequency of liaisons between the ligands and the receptors is determined by means of at least one detector. The concentration of ligands in the sample can be determined with the aid of the measured values of the occupation of the surface and frequency of ligands/receptors liaisons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the number of receptors on a carrier, in addition to a biosensor, especially a protein sensor, which can be produced using the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linker system for activating surfaces for bioconjugation, and particularly to a linker system having a novel hydrophilic spacer group. The inventive linker system may be used for the construction of sensor chips or biochips for the detection of sample biomolecules.

Abstract: In a method for immobilizing molecules on a surface, a layer of a hydrophobic, e.g., a non-swelling polymer, may be applied to the surface and molecules are immobilized on a surface of the polymer layer. The hydrophobic polymers may be polyimide or polystyrene, and the surface to which the polymer layer is applied may be made of an inorganic material, e.g., a semiconductor material (silicon), a semiconducting oxide (silicon dioxide), glass, nitride, or ceramic. Hydrophobic polymers such as polyimide or polystyrene can be applied to the surface of an inorganic support with conventional methods. Further, they electrically insulate the support with respect to the molecules applied to the surface of the polymer layer or substances associated with these molecules. Thus, electrical sensors and processor circuits can be integrated into the support without any detrimental effect on their function due to molecules and substances applied to the surface of the polymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a luminescence event in or in the immediate vicinity of a cell, a cell cluster, or a tissue, having the following elements: (a) a carrier element (1) having a surface (100) prepared for direct or indirect coupling of cells, and (b) at least one optical detector (2) for receiving a luminescence signal and integrated in the carrier element (1) below the surface (100), characterized by the following elements: (c) a cover (7) having an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) and covering the surface (100) such as to form a cavity (70), and (d) an excitation source (21) connected to the inlet (8).

Abstract: The present invention concerns generally a method as well as an apparatus for the determination of nucleic acid analytes. In particular, the present invention concerns the detection of the presence of such analytes without the conventional use of optically detectable marker substances.