Abstract: Optical Integrated Circuits (OIC) in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Analysis Systems combined with micorarray or microwell plates to provide enhanced sensitivity, stability, speed of analysis and reduced size are disclosed. Using the OIC with other optical analysis methods to provide enhance analysis systems is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mutiplexed enzyme assay method and substrate set for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes performing a plurality of enzyme reactions in the presence of a plurality of enzymes substrates, under conditions effective to convert an enzyme substrate to a corresponding product, where the product of each substrate and the substrate have different separation characteristics from each other and from the other substrates and their corresponding products. After performing the reactions, which may be carried out in separate or combined reactions, the substrates and products in said reactions are separated in a single separation medium. For each separated product and substrate, a separation characteristic effective to identify that product and substrate and a signal related to the amount of the product and substrate is detected. From this, one can determine the amount of substrate converted to the corresponding product in each of the reactions.

Abstract: Optical Integrated Circuits (OIC) in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Analysis Systems combined with micorarray or microwell plates to provide enhanced sensitivity, stability, speed of analysis and reduced size are disclosed. Using the OIC with other optical analysis methods to provide enhance analysis systems is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mutiplexed enzyme assay method and substrate set for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes performing a plurality of enzyme reactions in the presence of a plurality of enzymes substrates, under conditions effective to convert an enzyme substrate to a corresponding product, where the product of each substrate and the substrate have different separation characteristics from each other and from the other substrates and their corresponding products. After performing the reactions, which may be carried out in separate or combined reactions, the substrates and products in said reactions are separated in a single separation medium. For each separated product and substrate, a separation characteristic effective to identify that product and substrate and a signal related to the amount of the product and substrate is detected. From this, one can determine the amount of substrate converted to the corresponding product in each of the reactions.

Abstract: Cytochrome P-450 assay methods and kits for the methods are provided employing a cytochrome P-450 enzyme, substrates characterized by having an oxidizable methylene group oxidized to an aldehyde and a fluorescent hydrazine. A fluorescent hydrazine is added to the reaction mixture and the resulting hydrazone analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. The method finds use in evaluating compounds for enzyme modulating activity.

Abstract: Cytochrome P-450 assay methods and kits for the methods are provided employing a cytochrome P-450 enzyme, substrates characterized by having an oxidizable methylene group oxidized to an aldehyde and a fluorescent hydrazine. A fluorescent hydrazine is added to the reaction mixture and the resulting hydrazone analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. The method finds use in evaluating compounds for enzyme modulating activity.

Abstract: A multiplexed enzyme assay method and substrate set for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes performing a plurality of enzyme reactions in the presence of a plurality of enzymes substrates, under conditions effective to convert an enzyme substrate to a corresponding product, where the product of each substrate and the substrate have different separation characteristics from each other and from the other substrates and their corresponding products. After performing the reactions, which may be carried out in separate or combined reactions, the substrates and products in said reactions are separated in a single separation medium. For each separated product and substrate, a separation characteristic effective to identify that product and substrate and a signal related to the amount of the product and substrate is detected. From this, one can determine the amount of substrate converted to the corresponding product in each of the reactions.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided using microfluidic devices for manipulating small volumes and determining a variety of chemical and physical events. The devices rely upon an opening to the atmosphere of a small volume in a zone, where a sample is placed in the zone where evaporation can occur. The zone is maintained in contact with a liquid medium that serves to replenish the liquid in the zone and maintain the composition of the mixture in the zone substantially constant. The diffusion of components in the zone is restricted during the course of the determination by the liquid flux into the zone.

Abstract: Cell based assays are performed in a microfluidic device, where the cells are introduced into a reservoir and are contacted with one or more agents prior to or during their residence in the reservoir or in a capillary channel connected to the reservoir. The cells are moved by electrokinesis individually from the reservoir to a detector, where the status of the cells as a result of contacting said agents is determined. Conditions are provided for moving the cells electrophoretically or by electroosmotic force, where the cells may be viable or fixed, natural or genetically modified.

Abstract: The activity of a cell surface protease, particularly an ADAM, is determined in a rapid and sensitive assay employing a whole cell system. The assays are effective to identify effector molecules that affect the activity of a cell surface protease directly or indirectly, and to screen for therapeutic agents that modulate those effector molecules. The assays can also be used to screen for therapeutic agents that modulate the activity of a cell surface protease associated with a disease or medical condition. Kits comprising at least one component of the present assays are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided using microfluidic devices for manipulating small volumes and determining a variety of chemical and physical events. The devices rely upon an opening to the atmosphere of a small volume in a zone, where a sample is placed in the zone where evaporation can occur. The zone is maintained in contact with a liquid medium that serves to replenish the liquid in the zone and maintain the composition of the mixture in the zone substantially constant. The diffusion of components in the zone is restricted during the course of the determination by the liquid flux into the zone.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided using microfluidic devices for manipulating small volumes and determining a variety of chemical and physical events. The devices rely upon an opening to the atmosphere of a small volume in a zone, where a sample is placed in the zone where evaporation can occur. The zone is maintained in contact with a liquid medium that serves to replenish the liquid in the zone and maintain the composition of the mixture in the zone substantially constant. The diffusion of components in the zone is restricted during the course of the determination by the liquid flux into the zone.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided using microfluidic devices for manipulating small volumes and determining a variety of chemical and physical events. The devices rely upon an opening to the atmosphere of a small volume in a zone, where a sample is placed in the zone where evaporation can occur. The zone is maintained in contact with a liquid medium that serves to replenish the liquid in the zone and maintain the composition of the mixture in the zone substantially constant. The diffusion of components in the zone is restricted during the course of the determination by the liquid flux into the zone.

Abstract: A mutiplexed enzyme assay method and substrate set for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes performing a plurality of enzyme reactions in the presence of a plurality of enzymes substrates, under conditions effective to convert an enzyme substrate to a corresponding product, where the product of each substrate and the substrate have different separation characteristics from each other and from the other substrates and their corresponding products. After performing the reactions, which may be carried out in separate or combined reactions, the substrates and products in said reactions are separated in a single separation medium. For each separated product and substrate, a separation characteristic effective to identify that product and substrate and a signal related to the amount of the product and substrate is detected. From this, one can determine the amount of substrate converted to the corresponding product in each of the reactions.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for unbiased transport of materials on a microfluidic device are disclosed, including methods of maintaining the starting composition of an analyte during transport, and methods of simultaneously analyzing both cationic and anionic components of an analyte. Analyte is loaded into a four-way junction of channels by controlled differential pressure applied to the channels. After analyte loading, an electrical potential is established, forcing charged species into at least one of two separation channels.

Abstract: Cytochrome P-450 assay methods and kits for the methods are provided employing a cytochrome P-450 enzyme, substrates characterized by having an oxidizable methylene group oxidized to an aldehyde and a fluorescent hydrazine. A fluorescent hydrazine is added to the reaction mixture and the resulting hydrazone analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. The method finds use in evaluating compounds for enzyme modulating activity.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for stabilizing a conjugate of an enzyme and a member of a specific binding pair (enzyme conjugate). The method comprises the step of combining the enzyme conjugate with an effective amount of an antibody for the enzyme where the antibody does not substantially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. The invention has application to assays for the determination of an analyte wherein enzyme conjugates are employed. The improvement comprises employing as a reagent in the assay an immune complex of an enzyme conjugate and an antibody for the enzyme where the antibody does not substantially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. Compositions comprising such an immune complex and kits comprising such an immune complex in packaged combination with other assay reagents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.

Abstract: A capillary mixing device, comprising a liquid impervious housing; an interior space in the housing comprising a chamber in the housing having capillary spacing in one dimension and non-capillary spacing in other dimensions; and a plurality of magnetic or magnetically inducible particles in the chamber. The chamber is normally accessed through one or more capillary passageways leading to a surface of the housing and is adapted to be retained by a magnetic device that comprises means for generating a moving magnetic field and means for retaining the chamber device in an orientation so that the magnetic field has a field vector that intersects the capillary chamber perpendicular to the dimension having capillary spacing.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.