Abstract: A device for performing immunoassays on analytes is provided. The device includes an immunosorbent membrane, an absorbent material, a piston component located below said absorbent material to draw analytes in a sample through the immunosorbent membrane into the absorbent material, and discrete groups of pressure-sensitive microcapsules located on the immunosorbent membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high affinity antibodies that are antigen-specific. The method involves binding a plurality of antibody-producing B-cells from a mammal to a plurality of cognate antigens; sorting the bound antibody-producing B-cell and cognate antigen; amplifying nucleic acid sequences encoding each antibody, or fragment thereof, from the B-cells; and expressing the each antibody in a protein expression system. Antibodies produced in this manner are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A device for performing immunoassays on analytes is provided. The device includes an immunosorbent membrane, an absorbent material, a piston component located below said absorbent material to draw analytes in a sample through the immunosorbent membrane into the absorbent material, and discrete groups of pressure-sensitive microcapsules located on the immunosorbent membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for using levels of soluble Clusters of Differentiation (CD) proteins, or cell surface-localized CD proteins extracted from T lymphocytes for determining the immune status of a subject. The present invention also a kit containing a CD protein extraction means and at least one antibody which specifically binds a CD protein for use in carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high affinity antibodies that are antigen-specific. The method involves binding a plurality of antibody-producing B-cells from a mammal to a plurality of cognate antigens; sorting the bound antibody-producing B-cell and cognate antigen; amplifying nucleic acid sequences encoding each antibody, or fragment thereof, from the B-cells; and expressing the each antibody in a protein expression system. Antibodies produced in this manner are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

Abstract: The present invention features a headstock which changes the tonal quality of a stringed instrument. Specifically, the headstock of this invention contains one or more slots thereby generating independently resonating arms to which the strings are anchored. In this regard, the resonance of the string is dependent upon the resonance of the arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a binding agent or epitope for use in drug design, drug targeting or diagnostics. The method employs contacting and sorting binding agents and cognate epitopes from collections thereof, characterizing the binding agent and cognate epitope, detecting the level or location of the epitope in a sample using the binding agent, and correlating the level or location of the epitope in the sample with the presence or stage of a disease or condition to identify novel drugs, targeting moieties, or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for using levels of soluble Clusters of Differentiation (CD) proteins, or cell surface-localized CD proteins extracted from T lymphocytes for determining the immune status of a subject. The present invention also a kit containing a CD protein extraction means and at least one antibody which specifically binds a CD protein for use in carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a binding agent or epitope for use in drug design, drug targeting or diagnostics. The method employs contacting and sorting binding agents and cognate epitopes from collections thereof, characterizing the binding agent and cognate epitope, detecting the level or location of the epitope in a sample using the binding agent, and correlating the level or location of the epitope in the sample with the presence or stage of a disease or condition to identify novel drugs, targeting moieties, or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high affinity antibodies that are antigen-specific. The method involves binding a plurality of antibody-producing B-cells from a mammal to a plurality of cognate antigens; sorting the bound antibody-producing B-cell and cognate antigen; amplifying nucleic acid sequences encoding each antibody, or fragment thereof, from the B-cells; and expressing the each antibody in a protein expression system. Antibodies produced in this manner are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pectin esterase is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of pectin esterase gene expression resulted in seedlings that were damaged, short, and stunted at a very early growth stage. Thus, pectin esterase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit pectin esterase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a pectin esterase and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said pectin esterase, or detecting a decrease in pectin esterase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Biotin synthase (BS) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, inhibition of BS gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis and reduced growth. Thus, BS can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit BS expression or activity, and as such, the methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (“FHT”) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of FHT gene expression in plant seedlings results in small and chlorotic seedlings. Thus, FHT can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit FHT expression or activity. The present invention can be used to identify compounds having herbicide activity by contacting a compound with FHT and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between the compound and the FHT, or alternatively, detecting a decrease in FHT expression or activity.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that LCBH is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of LCBH gene expression in Arabidopsis results in reduced growth and abnormal development. Thus, LCBH is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a LCBH in the presence and absence of a compound, where an alteration of LCBH activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.