Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoassay method and kit for the indirect detection of chloral hydrate. The invention is underpinned by a novel immunogen that produces an antibody that is specific for the chloral hydrate metabolite trichloroethanol glucuronide. Detection and quantification of trichloroethanol glucuronide has important applications in clinical toxicology, drug facilitated crime, water testing and solvent exposure.

Abstract: A biochip well is disclosed, including a vessel containing a well therewithin, the vessel forming at least base and side walls of the well and defining at least one aperture giving access to the well, and further including retaining means for holding a biochip at a predetermined position within the well, the well including a laterally offset region into which the biochip does not protrude when held at the predetermined position by the retaining means. Also disclosed are sealed well assemblies and apparatus and methods for opening sealed wells.

Abstract: A valve for a reagent bottle is provided, the valve including a resilient membrane configured to extend across an opening in the reagent bottle, the resilient membrane having at least one slit extending therethrough. Also disclosed is a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a reagent from a reagent bottle, the dispensing apparatus comprising: a probe assembly having a probe adapted for insertion into the reagent bottle through the valve and an extraction mechanism for drawing reagent out of the reagent bottle through the probe. A valve opening assembly is provided, which is adapted to open the valve of the reagent bottle such that the probe can pass through the valve without contacting the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection and quantification of carbamazepine drugs and their metabolites. The invention is underpinned by novel polyclonal antibodies with unique binding properties which enable immunoassay methods and kits for various applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoassay method and kit for the detection and/or the determination of mephedrone, mephedrone metabolites and related compounds. The invention is underpinned by a novel antibody, derived from a novel immunogen, that is sensitive and binds to mephedrone, mephedrone metabolites and related compounds.

Abstract: Carisoprodol is a centrally-acting prescription drug of known abuse. Upon ingestion it is rapidly metabolised to meprobamate, also a prescription drug with abuse potential. Current immunoassays are specific for carisoprodol and therefore have a short window of detection and, furthermore, are ineffective at detecting meprobamate. The current invention, underpinned by an antibody specific for meprobamate, overcomes these deficiencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoassay method and kit for the indirect detection of chloral hydrate. The invention is underpinned by a novel immunogen that produces an antibody that is specific for the chloral hydrate metabolite trichloroethanol glucuronide. Detection and quantification of trichloroethanol glucuronide has important applications in clinical toxicology, drug facilitated crime, water testing and solvent exposure.

Abstract: The immunoassay method and kit are provided for the detection and/or the determination of zolpidem. The disclosure provides novel antibodies, derived from a novel immunogen, that are highly sensitive and bind to zolpidem and its main urinary metabolite [3-(2-N,N-dimethylamino-2-oxoethyl)-6-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl]benzoic acid, enabling an extension of the detection window of zolpidem in individuals who have abused the drug, or have been victim of its side-effects or its criminal misuse.

Abstract: An assay for measuring the amount of a first analyte in a sample, comprises the steps of: (i) contacting the sample with a device that comprises one or more first reaction sites which comprise a first ligand having affinity for the first analyte, and a series of second reaction sites each comprising different known concentrations of an immobilized second analyte; (ii) removing any unbound first analyte; (iii) contacting the device with a second ligand that is detectably labelled and which has affinity for the first analyte, and a third ligand that is detectably labelled and which has affinity for the second analyte; (iv) removing any unbound second and third ligands; and (v) measuring the amount of second and third ligands, wherein measurement of the third ligand is used to establish a calibration curve, used to determine the amount of first analyte present in sample.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the properties of a biological or chemical sample. The method includes carrying out a plurality of different tests on the sample to generate corresponding test data; optionally carrying out a preliminary processing of the test data to generate partially processed data; storing the test data and/or partially processed data; causing a processing system to analyze a user-defined selection of the test data or partially processed data to generate result data relating to one or more properties of the sample; and subsequent to the previous step, receiving a second user defined selection of the test data or partially processed data, different from the first selection, and causing the processing system to analyze the second user-defined selection of the test data or partially processed data to generate second result data relating to one or more properties of the sample different from the properties corresponding to the first user-defined selection.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten, an immunogen comprising the hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with MDMA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an array chip, comprising the steps of: i) depositing at least one ligand onto the active surface of a wafer substrate, having at least one scribe line, the active surface being the reverse of the surface comprising the at least one scribe line; ii) detecting the ligand in relation to the at least one scribe line; and iii) breaking the wafer substrate along the at least one scribe line, to produce at least one array chip.

Abstract: The invention provides haptens, immunogens comprising such haptens coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, conjugates comprising such haptens bonded to a labelling agent as well as, antibodies raised against such immunogens and capable of binding with ketamine and its primary metabolite, norketamine.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten, an immunogen comprising the hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with MDMA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing haptens of formulae I and II that are useful in the preparation of immunogens, antibodies and conjugates, for use in competitive immunoassays for the detection of ractopamine, isoxsuprine and ritodrine. The haptens are prepared by reacting a phenylethanolamine derivative of formula D with a phenylalkylcarbonyl derivative of formula E: in which, in formula I, Z1 is a crosslinker and Z2 is H and, in formula II, Z1 is H and Z2 is a crosslinker.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten derivatized with a crosslinker at the nitrogen of the 8?-carboxamide of 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD. The invention also provides an immunogen comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material; a conjugate comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with at least the 3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone structural epitope of 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogen comprising a hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with at least one structural epitope of metabolites of fentanyl and of metabolites of fentanyl analogs.

Abstract: Novel haptens, which can be conjugated to form immunogens, are of formula I, II or III wherein R is a divalent alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and X is a functional group.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten comprising a 6-[D-?-aminoacetamido] penicillin derivative crosslinked at the ?-amino group with a substituted or unsubstituted phenyldicarbaldehyde. In addition, the invention provides an immunogen comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with at least one structural epitope of an intact ?-lactam ring.

Abstract: A biochip deposition system and method. The system comprises a deposit mechanism for depositing organic material in spots on a substrate; and a viewing system for detecting the spots on the substrate during a deposit operation and before the spots have dried, for determining if the spots have been correctly deposited, and if not, for generating a suitable output signal. The viewing system includes an illumination device for illuminating deposited spots at a relatively low angle relative to the substrate.