Abstract: Polypeptides comprising a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains being linked but incapable of associating with each other to form an antigen binding site, associate to form antigen binding multimers, such as dimers, which may be multivalent or have multispecificity. The domains may be linked by a short peptide linker or may be joined directly together. Bispecific dimers may have longer linkers. Methods of preparation of the polypeptides and multimers and diverse repertoires thereof, and their display on the surface of bacteriophage for easy selection of binders of interest, are disclosed, along with many utilities.

Abstract: Methods for capturing analytes associated with surface-bound ligands are disclosed. The methods involve eluting analytes from surface-bound ligands with a first liquid to generate free analytes, and capturing the free analytes with a solid capturing material within the first liquid to generate a first liquid containing captured analytes. The first liquid may be a flowing liquid or a non-flowing liquid, and the surface to which the surface-bound ligand is attached may be a sensing surface, such as a biosensor, or a non-sensing surface. The captured analytes may be further consolidated at a location removed from the surface-bound ligand, eluted from the solid capturing material with a second liquid, and used for subsequent analysis or procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Surface regeneration of affinity biosensors and characterization of biomolecules associated therewith by multivariate technique employing cocktails of regeneration agents to optimize regeneration of biosensor surface and/or characterize biomolecules associated therewith. Kits and stock solutions for use in the context of this invention, as well as associated computer algorithms are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell. The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of analysing nucleic acid sequences comprises measuring by surface sensitive detection technique the binding interaction between a first nucleic acid sequence and a second nucleic acid sequence, one of the first and second nucleic acid sequences being immobilized to a solid phase surface, to determine the affinity or an affinity related parameter for the binding reaction as indicative of the extent of complementary between the first and second nucleic acid sequences. The method is characterized in that the measurement of the binding interaction is performed at annealing conditions adjusted such that the dissociation rate constant for the binding interaction corresponding to full complementarity between the first and second nucleic acid sequences is greater than about 10.sup.- per second, thereby permitting equilibrium for the interaction to be rapidly attained.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for detecting the presence of an analyte of interest in a sample, comprising an immobilised binding partner comprising a solid support and a reversibly binding receptor which is capable of binding to the analyte of interest thereby causing a measurable change in a property of the immobilised partner, and detection means for detecting the measurable change and a method for detecting the presence of an analyte of interest.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains being linked but incapable of associating with each other to form an antigen binding site, associate to form antigen binding multimers, such as dimers, which may be multivalent or have multispecificity. The domains may be linked by a short peptide linker or may be joined directly together. Bispecific dimers may have longer linkers. Methods of preparation of the polypeptides and multimers and diverse repertoires thereof, and their display on the surface of bacteriophage for easy selection of binders of interest, are disclosed, along with many utilities.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a macromolecule by studying its interactions with ligands comprises the determination of the mutual influence of ligand interactions by, after the macromolecule has interacted with at least one ligand, contacting the macromolecule with at least one additional ligand, either the macromolecule or the additional ligand or ligands having been bound to a sensor surface, determining interaction by detecting a consequential change in the physico-chemical properties of the sensor surface, and on the basis of the determined mutual dependence between the ligand interactions discriminating between epitopes of the macromolecule and mapping their relative positions.

Abstract: Methods for functionalizing sensing surfaces to be used in systems for measuring simultaneously several properties of one biomolecule as well as for simultaneously measuring the concentrations of a plurality of biomolecules in a sample. The invention furthermore also relates to sensor units containing such surfaces, to the use thereof for surface characterization of biomolecules, and to a reagent kit for functionalization of sensing surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of silanizing surfaces for use in detecting organic molecules and biomolecules by means of surface-sensitive detection methods. The molecules to be detected become covalently bonded to the solid, plane test surface which contains, by means of silanization, groups which are functional for the covalent bonding. The invention relates to a silanization technique, which combines a special cleaning technique for the surfaces to be silanized and a silanization process at a low pressure and with the silane in gas phase and at an enhanced temperature of the surfaces to be silanized. The method gives reproducible surfaces provided with stable, homogenous and functional silane layers of mono-layer character.