Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for interrogating an optical biosensor. The apparatus includes (a) locating means for positioning one or more optical biosensors; (b) calibration means for generating a reference measurement; (c) one or more biosensors for generating one or more sample measurements, the biosensors being substantially planar and removable from the apparatus; (d) a reading means for interrogating biosensor and calibration means, and (e) a transport means for moving one or more of a biosensor, the calibration means and the reading means, whereby the reading means is positioned to interrogate the biosensor and the calibration means.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the conversion of a phenol substrate to a product by a peroxidase enzyme comprises the steps of reacting a conjugate comprising a detectably labeled phenol with a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of an enhancing reagent, the enhancing reagent comprising an inorganic salt, an organic compound having the formula wherein when X is B(OH)2, Y is I, or wherein when X is OH, Y is a halogen, or Q-R wherein Q is a linear or branched 1-12 heteroatom alkyl wherein tie heteroatoms are selected from C, N, O, and S, wherein the bonds connecting the heteroatom alkyl chain are single or double, wherein any carbon atom in the heteroatom alkyl chain optionally includes a substituent selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —SH, and wherein R is selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —CH3; or mixtures of the inorganic salt and the organic compound.

Abstract: A method for performing a peroxidase-based assay by reacting a peroxidase enzyme with a soluble organic p-hydroxyphenyl-containing compound having the formula: wherein Q is a linear or branched 1-12 heteroatom alkyl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from C, N, O, and S, wherein the bonds connecting the heteroatom alkyl chain are single or double, wherein any carbon atom in the heteroatom alkyl chain optionally includes a substituent selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —SH, and wherein R is selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —CH3; and converting the soluble organic p-hydroxyphenyl-containing compound into a stable insoluble product which becomes highly fluorescent after illumination, upon excitation.

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the formula wherein R1-R8 are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl group, and C0-C4 alkyl group having a hydrophilic substituent thereon. R11 and R12 are chosen to include a free or protected thiol, amine or hydroxyl substituent capable of reacting with a target molecule through a nucleophilic displacement mechanism. The dye is useful in labeling a variety of target molecules. Processes are described for synthesizing suitable heterocyclic and indole derivatives as precursors for the aforementioned cyanine dyes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an array-based analytical system and method having an enhanced sensitivity which allows for simple and rapid analysis of relative unmodified samples which comprises an analytical system of the type having a plurality of different first members of a specific binding pair affixed in an array thereupon, a mixture including at least one second member of a specific binding pair capable of binding to one of the first members so as to form a specific binding pair which is affixed to the support member, and a reporter system that produces a detectable signal indicative of the presence of the specific binding pair on the support member and wherein the reporter system includes an amplified reporter system that is independent of layering.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an array-based analytical system and method having an enhanced sensitivity which allows for simple and rapid analysis of relative unmodified samples which comprises an analytical system of the type having a plurality of different first members of a specific binding pair affixed in an array thereupon, a mixture including at least one second member of a specific binding pair capable of binding to one of the first members so as to form a specific binding pair which is affixed to the support member, and a reporter system that produces a detectable signal indicative of the presence of the specific binding pair on the support member and wherein the reporter system includes an amplified reporter system that is independent of layering.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the conversion of a phenol substrate to a product by a peroxidase enzyme comprises the steps of reacting a conjugate comprising a detectably labeled phenol with a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of an enhancing reagent, the enhancing reagent conmprising an inorganic salt, an organic compound having the formula wherein when X is B(OH)2, Y is I, or wherein when X is OH, Y is a halogen, or Q-R wherein Q is a linear or branched 1-12 heteroatom alkyl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from C, N, O, and S, wherein the bonds connecting the heteroatom alkyl chain are single or double, wherein any carbon atom in the heteroatom alkyl chain optionally includes a substituent selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —SH, and wherein R is selected from —OH, —COOH, —NH2, and —CH3; or mixtures of the inorganic salt and the organic compound.

Abstract: 4-(4-hydroxystyryl) pyridine-containing compounds are disclosed as substrates for use in assays. Also, a method for detecting or quantitating an analyte is provided which includes reacting an enzyme with a 4-(4-hydroxystyryl) pyridine-containing compound to form a reactive intermediate wherein the reactive intermediate deposits covalently on a surface by binding to a receptor, wherein deposited reactive intermediates either directly or indirectly through a label generate a signal which can be detected or quantitated.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the conversion of a phenol substrate to a product by a peroxidase enzyme comprises the steps of reacting a conjugate comprising a detectably labeled phenol with a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of an enhancing reagent, the enhancing reagent comprising an inorganic salt, an organic compound having the formula 1

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the formula 1

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the formula wherein R1-R8 are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl group, and C0-C4 alkyl group having a hydrophilic substituent thereon. R11 and R12 are chosen to include a free or protected thiol, amine or hydroxyl substituent capable of reacting with a target molecule through a nucleophilic displacement mechanism. The dye is useful in labeling a variety of target molecules. Processes are described for synthesizing suitable heterocyclic and indole derivatives as precursors for the aforementioned cyanine dyes.

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the formula wherein R1--R8 are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl group, and C0-C4 alkyl group having a hydrophilic substituent thereon. R11 and R12 are chosen to include a free or protected thiol, amine or hydroxyl substituent capable of reacting with a target molecule through a nucleophilic displacement mechanism. The dye is useful in labeling a variety of target molecules. Processes are described for synthesizing suitable heterocyclic and indole derivatives as precursors for the aforementioned cyanine dyes.

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the formula wherein R1-R8 are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl group, and C0-C4 alkyl group having a hydrophilic substituent thereon. R11 and R12 are chosen to include a free or protected thiol, amine or hydroxyl substituent capable of reacting with a target molecule through a nucleophilic displacement mechanism. The dye is useful in labeling a variety of target molecules. Processes are described for synthesizing suitable heterocyclic and indole derivatives as precursors for the aforementioned cyanine dyes.

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 -R.sub.8 are each independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, and C.sub.0 -C.sub.4 alkyl group having a hydrophilic substituent thereon. R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are chosen to include a free or protected thiol, amine or hydroxyl substituent capable of reacting with a target molecule through a nucleophilic displacement mechanism. The dye is useful in labeling a variety of target molecules. Processes are described for synthesizing suitable heterocyclic and indole derivatives as precursors for the aforementioned cyanine dyes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel p-hydroxycinnamoyl-containing substrates which can be used in catalyzed reporter deposition to amplify the detector signal and improve assay detection limits.

Abstract: Novel intermediates having an indolenine nucleus which are useful in the synthesis of fluorescent sulfoindocyanine dyes are described. Dyes synthesized using such intermediates do not contain a reactive group that will covalently attach to a target molecule at an amine- or hydroxy-containing site. Rather, these intermediates are linked to an enzyme substrate or a member of a specific binding pair. Also included are tyramide-containing sulfonidocyanine dyes.