Abstract: Design, manufacture and use of optical discs that permit the concurrent and discriminable acquisition of signals from both operational features and nonoperational features is presented. The disc geometries and tracking schemes permit such discs to be read in, and data encoded by nonoperational features reported by, standard (or minimally-modified), optical disc readers. Single data layer first and second surface discs are described, as are multiple data layer discs. Use of the disks in analyte-specific assay is presented.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining whether a target agent is present in a biological sample. The invention provides a sensitive and consumer friendly system for performing biological assays. More particularly, the invention is directed to the use of a biodisc in a dual bead assay designed to identify the presence of a target molecule. The invention further provides methods to optimize the selection of a suitable solid phase for use in a dual bead assay.

Abstract: A cleavable signal element for use in quantitative and qualitative assay devices and methods is described. Binding of the chosen analyte simultaneously to a first and a second analyte-specific side member of the cleavable signal element tethers the signal-responsive moiety to the signal element's substrate-attaching end, despite subsequent cleavage at the cleavage site that lies intermediate the first and second side members. Assay devices comprising the cleavable signal elements are described, as are analytic methods adapted to their use. The analytic devices of the present invention may be adapted to detection using conventional CD-ROM and DVD readers.

Abstract: A therapeutic supramolecule including a first component having a binding effector molecule such as a protein, a polypeptide, a lipid, or a sugar; and a second component including a therapeutic effector molecule such as a protein, a polypeptide, a lipid, or a sugar, where the binding effector molecule and therapeutic effector molecule are linked by a joining molecule, a peptide, or a dendrimer.

Abstract: Methods for deceasing non-specific bindings of beads in dual bead assays and related optical bio-discs and disc drive systems. The methods include determining the suitability of a test solid phase for purposes of use in a dual bead assay. The method also includes identifying whether a target agent is present in a biological sample and involves mixing capture beads, reporter beads, and a biological sample. The mixing is performed under binding conditions to permit formation of a dual bead complex if the target agent is present in the sample. The reporter bead and capture bead are each bound to the target agent. Cleavable spacers or displacement linkers may be used in forming the dual bead complexes. The methods also include placing the capture beads and the reporter beads spatially proximally, performing a ligation reaction employing a ligase, and isolating the dual bead complex from the mixture to obtain the isolate.

Abstract: A supramolecule has a first supramolecular component including a first effector molecule covalently joined to a first nucleic acid, and a second supramolecular component including a second effector molecule covalently joined to a second nucleic acid, wherein the second nucleic acid has a region of at least partial complementarity to the first nucleic acid, wherein the first nucleic acid is in a base pairing relationship with the second nucleic acid and the first or second effector molecules are proteins, polypeptides, lipids or sugars. The supramolecule may further have a third supramolecule component which includes a third effector molecule covalently joined to a third nucleic acid, wherein the third nucleic acid has a region of at least partial complementary to the first nucleic acid or the second nucleic acid and wherein the third nucleic acid is in a base pairing relationship with the second nucleic acid or the first nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method and equipment for measuring the tension of a moving web. The tension of the moving web is measured by means of a measuring element provided with a guide surface which the moving web is guided to pass such that the web forms an air cushion of the air it carries between the web and the guide surface. Measuring devices are arranged at a distance from one another in connection with the measuring element in the cross direction of the web for measuring a variable representing the tension of the moving web. The measuring element is moved back and forth in the cross direction of the web such that the tension profile of the web is measured at least on a part of the web width by means of the measuring devices arranged in connection with the measuring element.

Abstract: Methods for effecting monomolecular adhesion are described. Adhesion may be effected by contacting a first and second bonding surface, wherein a first reactant for a chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the first bonding surface, a second reactant for the chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the second bonding surface, and the surfaces are contacted for a time and under conditions sufficient to permit the chemical reaction to bond a sufficient number of first reactants to second reactants to attach the bonding surfaces. A molecular linker may optionally be used. Methods for producing multi-laminate structures, wherein successive layers are monomolecularly bonded, are described, as are multi-laminate structures so constructed.

Abstract: A method and equipment for measuring the tension of a moving web. The tension of the moving web is measured by means of a measuring element provided with a guide surface which the moving web is guided to pass such that the web forms an air cushion of the air it carries between the web and the guide surface. Measuring devices are arranged at a distance from one another in connection with the measuring element in the cross direction of the web for measuring a variable representing the tension of the moving web. The measuring element is moved back and forth in the cross direction of the web such that the tension profile of the web is measured at least on a part of the web width by means of the measuring devices arranged in connection with the measuring element.

Abstract: A supramolecule has a first supramolecular component including a first effector molecule covalently joined to a first nucleic acid, and a second supramolecular component including a second effector molecule covalently joined to a second nucleic acid, wherein the second nucleic acid has a region of at least partial complementarity to the first nucleic acid, wherein the first nucleic acid is in a base pairing relationship with the second nucleic acid and the first or second effector molecules are proteins, polypeptides, lipids or sugars. The supramolecule may further have a third supramolecule component which includes a third effector molecule covalently joined to a third nucleic acid, wherein the third nucleic acid has a region of at least partial complementary to the first nucleic acid or the second nucleic acid and wherein the third nucleic acid is in a base pairing relationship with the second nucleic acid or the first nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method for determining the nucleotide sequence of a chromosome. The chromosome is hydrolyzed to form a mixture of oligonucleotides having unknown nucleotide sequences. The mixture is exposed to a library of oligonucleotide probe pairs having known sequences. The probe pairs are located so that they hybridize to outer opposed sections of the chromosomal oligonucleotides. The use of oligonucleotide probe pairs provides for sequencing of relatively long unknown DNA sequences using relatively short oligonucleotide probes.

Abstract: Methods for effecting monomolecular adhesion are described. Adhesion may be effected by contacting a first and second bonding surface, wherein a first reactant for a chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the first bonding surface, a second reactant for the chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the second bonding surface, and the surfaces are contacted for a time and under conditions sufficient to permit the chemical reaction to bond a sufficient number of first reactants to second reactants to attach the bonding surfaces. A molecular linker may optionally be used. Methods for producing multi-laminate structures, wherein successive layers are monomolecularly bonded, are described, as are multi-laminate structures so constructed.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a target agent is present in a biological sample includes mixing magnetic capture beads, each having at least one transport probe affixed thereto, reporter beads, each bead having at least one signal probe affixed thereto, and a biological sample, under binding conditions which permit formation of a dual bead complex if the target agent is present in the sample, wherein the dual bead complex comprises the reporter bead bound to the target agent which is in turn bound to the magnetic capture bead; isolating the dual bead complex from the mixture by subjecting the mixture to a magnetic field; loading the isolate into an optical disc, the optical disc having an capture layer having affixed thereto, within a capture field, a capture agent that binds to the dual bead complex specifically; and detecting the presence of the dual bead complex in the optical disc, the presence of the dual bead complex indicating that the target agent is present in the sample.

Abstract: Optical disk-based assay devices and methods are described, in which analyte-specific signal elements are disposed on an optical disk substrate. In preferred embodiments, the analyte-specific signal elements are disposed readably with the disk's tracking features. Also described are cleavable signal elements particularly suitable for use in the assay device and methods. Binding of the chosen analyte simultaneously to a first and a second analyte-specific side member of the cleavable signal element tethers the signal-responsive moiety to the signal element's substrate-attaching end, despite subsequent cleavage at the cleavage site that lies intermediate the first and second side members. The signal responsive moiety reflects, absorbs, or refracts incident laser light. Described are nucleic acid hybridization assays, nucleic acid sequencing, immunoassays, cell counting assays, and chemical detection.

Abstract: A detection system for use in optical disk-based devices for measuring the presence of an analyte in a sample. The detection system includes an analyte detector unit containing a primary detector which selectively reacts with analyte present in a sample to produce an amplification agent. The detection system further includes an amplification unit comprising a plurality of secondary detection agents which are each changeable between a negative and positive detection state. A fluid connection is provided between the analyte detector unit and amplification unit to provide reactive contact between the amplification agent and the plurality of detection agents. The amplification agent is capable of changing a plurality of detection agents between the negative and positive detection states to thereby amplify the measurable presence of the analyte.

Abstract: A cleavable signal element for use in quantitative and qualitative assay devices and methods is described. Binding of the chosen analyte simultaneously to a first and a second analyte-specific side member of the cleavable signal element tethers the signal-responsive moiety to the signal element's substrate-attaching end, despite subsequent cleavage at the cleavage site that lies intermediate the first and second side members. Assay devices comprising the cleavable signal elements are described, as are analytic methods adapted to their use. The analytic devices of the present invention may be adapted to detection using conventional CD-ROM and DVD readers.

Abstract: Complexes are prepared containing two or more different effector molecules joined to each other by a joining component. One effector molecule is a binding molecule such as an antibody or Fc receptor that binds to a molecular target such as a virus or antibody at a site of infection or tumor, and another effector molecule is a therapeutic molecule such as an enzyme or drug. The joining component may be a liposome, protein or an organic polymer (including a dendrimer type polymer), and may be of sufficient length and/or flexibility to permit the therapeutic molecule to physically interact with the target at the same time as the binding molecule. Supramolecules are formed containing at least two supramolecular component molecules that contain an effector molecule and a nucleic acid chain.

Abstract: A gene sequencer, bio-compact disk and sample preparation methodology is described. Constant length oligonucleotides are prepared and, in conjunction with the bio-compact disk and apparatus described, used in gene sequencing and strategies therefor.

Abstract: Methods for effecting monomolecular adhesion are described. Adhesion may be effected by contacting a first and second bonding surface, wherein a first reactant for a chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the first bonding surface, a second reactant for the chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the second bonding surface, and the surfaces are contacted for a time and under conditions sufficient to permit the chemical reaction to bond a sufficient number of first reactants to second reactants to attach the bonding surfaces. A molecular linker may optionally be used. Methods for producing multi-laminate structures, wherein successive layers are monomolecularly bonded, are described, as are multi-laminate structures so constructed.

Abstract: Optical disk-based assay devices and methods are described, in which analyte-specific signal elements are disposed on an optical disk substrate. In preferred embodiments, the analyte-specific signal elements are disposed readably with the disk's tracking features. Also described are cleavable signal elements particularly suitable for use in the assay device and methods. Binding of the chosen analyte simultaneously to a first and a second analyte-specific side member of the cleavable signal element tethers the signal-responsive moiety to the signal element's substrate-attaching end, despite subsequent cleavage at the cleavage site that lies intermediate the first and second side members. The signal responsive moiety reflects, absorbs, or refracts incident laser light. Described are nucleic acid hybridization assays, nucleic acid sequencing, immunoassays, cell counting assays, and chemical detection.