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.

Abstract: A method for imaging molecules contained in an array of discrete reaction sites on the surface of a solid support comprises: (i) imaging the array and detecting a first molecule located on the solid support at a known position with respect to the array; (ii) by reference to the first molecule, aligning inspection windows in registration with the discrete reaction sites; and (iii) determining the amount of detectable signal in each window. The method is used to locate the reaction sites accurately on the array, and to correct for any misalignments.

Abstract: An assay device incubator comprises a housing (46) defining a region within which at least one assay device is located in use, the housing defining laterally opposed sidewalls (48, 50) of at least one bay (33) in which an assay device can be located. The housing (46) includes one or more guides (49, 51) for supporting the assay device and enabling the assay device to undergo to and fro movement therealong. A vibration system (40, 60) is coupled to the at least one tray in use for vibrating the tray to and fro along the or each guide. A heating system (70) heats the region within the housing.

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 immobilised 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: An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

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 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: An assay device incubator comprises a housing (46) defining a region within which at least one assay device is located in use, the housing defining laterally opposed sidewalls (48, 50) of at least one bay (33) in which an assay device can be located. The housing (46) includes one or more guides (49, 51) for supporting the assay device and enabling the assay device to undergo to and fro movement therealong. A vibration system (40, 60) is coupled to the at least one tray in use for vibrating the tray to and fro along the or each guide. A heating system (70) heats the region within the housing.

Abstract: An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

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 1

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten comprising a 6-[D-&agr;-aminoacetamido]penicillin derivative crosslinked at the &agr;-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 &bgr;-lactam ring.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten derivatised with a crosslinker at the nitrogen of the 8&bgr;-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: An assay assembly comprising a chip on which an array of reactive species is immobilized, the chip being located in a storage well having a base and side walls.

Abstract: Multi-analyte microarrays are produced by first attaching to the surface of a solid support, a silane with an electrophilic terminal group, contacting the terminal group with a polyamine, and activating the polyamine with an electrophilic, bifunctional linker.

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.

Abstract: A solid state device for performing multi-analyte assays, comprises a substrate and a multiplicity of discrete reaction sites each bearing a ligand covalently bonded to the substrate, wherein the surface of the substrate between the reaction sites is inert with respect to analyte. Such a device may be obtained by a process of activating the surface of the substrate, and applying an array of ligands on to discrete areas on the surface.

Abstract: A method for imaging molecules contained in an array of discrete reaction sites on the surface of a solid support comprises:

Abstract: An assay for an analyte in a sample, wherein the sample is contacted with an array of ligands including a ligand specific for the analyte, additionally comprises including a scavenger material that binds the analyte and thereby reduces its available concentration.

Abstract: A method of analysing an image to obtain an image value. The image comprises a defined array of pixel values. The method comprises (1) determining the highest pixel value in the image; (2) calculating a lower threshold pixel value from the highest pixel value determined in step (1) in accordance with a predetermined algorithm; and (3) obtaining the image value by statistically analysing the pixel values in the image which lie in a range defined by the lower threshold pixel value calculated in step (2).