Abstract: The present invention provides for various processes for determining enzyme activity. In one embodiment, a process for detecting an enzyme activity includes contacting a blood component with a substrate comprising a cleavage site of the enzyme and a tag moiety to produce a sample comprising a cleavage product having a known mass, and placing the sample in contact with a SELDI sample chip which has surface moieties which bind to the cleavage product. In another embodiment, the process further includes subjecting the SELDI sample chip to SELDI mass spectrometry to identify the cleavage product. The present invention also provides for a kit which includes a SELDI sample chip having surface moieties capable of binding to an enzyme cleavage product.

Abstract: The present invention provides for various processes for determining enzyme activity. In one embodiment, a process for detecting an enzyme activity includes contacting a blood component with a substrate comprising a cleavage site of the enzyme and a tag moiety to produce a sample comprising a cleavage product having a known mass, and placing the sample in contact with a SELDI sample chip which has surface moieties which bind to the cleavage product. In another embodiment, the process further includes subjecting the SELDI sample chip to SELDI mass spectrometry to identify the cleavage product. The present invention also provides for a kit which includes a SELDI sample chip having surface moieties capable of binding to an enzyme cleavage product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interfacing a capillary with a detector is disclosed. In particular, a capillary that is used in a capillary electrophoresis technique is interfaced with an off-column detector that is destructive of the sample or that will otherwise create adverse affects on the operations of the capillary electrophoresis. By way of example only, a nitrogen chemiluminescent detector using pyro-chemiluminescent techniques is discussed. An interface between the separation and detection systems is essential to prevent interference between the two systems. The interface apparatus and method are achieved by creating a closed connection between the two systems within which the pressure and sample flow rate can be controlled. Pressure control is achieved through the introduction and venting of gas into and from the integrated system. Interference between interfaced systems is then prevented by equalizing the pressure in the interface apparatus with the head pressure on the inlet end of the capillary.