Abstract: The invention provides a kit for detecting the presence or absence of mutations in the selected regions of the target genes associated with colorectal cancer, comprising XNA clamps and primers; wherein the XNA clamps are capable of hybridizing with the selected regions having wild-type sequences in the target genes, and the primers are capable of amplifying the selected regions containing each of the mutations in the target genes. The invention also discloses a method of detecting a mutant gene associated with colorectal cancer, comprising: providing a sample containing DNA and a xeno nucleic acid clamp capable of hybridizing to a wild-type gene; and detecting a mutant of the gene in the sample with a xeno nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to the mutant gene.

Abstract: The invention provides a kit for detecting the presence or absence of mutations in the selected regions of the target genes associated with colorectal cancer, comprising XNA clamps and primers; wherein the XNA clamps are capable of hybridizing with the selected regions having wild-type sequences in the target genes, and the primers are capable of amplifying the selected regions containing each of the mutations in the target genes. The invention also discloses a method of detecting a mutant gene associated with colorectal cancer, comprising: providing a sample containing DNA and a xeno nucleic acid clamp capable of hybridizing to a wild-type gene; and detecting a mutant of the gene in the sample with a xeno nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to the mutant gene.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for detecting sequence variants in a sample nucleic acid. Methods include PNA clamping/PCR using primers with binding moieties followed by capture and detection of amplicons on a solid support. Systems include PCR reagents with primers having binding moieties, a PNA clamping probe, a solid support capable of capturing the PCR amplicons incorporating the binding moieties, and a detector device.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the general field of chemical and biological assays which employ electrochemiluminscence (ECL), also referred to as electrogenerated chemiluminescence. More particularly, the present invention pertains to certain classes of chemical moieties which strongly quench ECL, and the use of these ECL quenchers in combination with ECL labels, for example, in ECL assay methods which employ an ECL quencher and an ECL label. One class of such quenching moieties are those which comprise at least one benzene moiety. Sub-classes of such quenching moieties are those which comprise at least one phenol moiety, quinone moiety, benzene carboxylic acid, and/or benzene carboxylate moiety.

Abstract: Antigens capable of eliciting antibodies which can catalyze chemical reactions, in particular, the cleavage or formation of a peptide linkage, comprising a hapten or a hapten and a suitable carrier molecule are disclosed. Haptens include, among others, silicon and boron containing compounds. Antibodies which are catalytically active for chemical reactions, in particular, the cleavage or formation of a selected peptide linkage or an ester bond, and which are elicited by such antigens are disclosed as well as methods for producing the antibodies and methods for catalyzing the cleavage or formation of a peptide linkage or in ester bond in a molecule.

Abstract: Qualitative and quantitative electrochemiluminescent assays for analytes of interest present in multicomponent liquids are provided. These methods comprise contacting a sample with a reagent labeled with an electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety and capable of combining with the analyte of interest, exposing the resulting sample to electrochemical energy and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety. Further provided are methods for detecting and identifying the presence of a multiplicity of analytes in a liquid food or food homogenate.

Abstract: A method for the detection of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of: (1) forming a composition comprising (a) a sample, (b) at least one substance selected from the group consisting of (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii), wherein one of said substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to luminesce, and (c) a plurality of particles capable of specifically binding with the analyte and/or a substance defined in (b) (i), (b) (ii), or (b) (iii); (2) inducing the label compound to luminesce; and (3) measuring luminescence emitted by the composition to determine the presence of the analyte of interest in the sample.

Abstract: A system for detecting physical or chemical changes in an environment is disclosed. The system comprises means for conducting a chemical reaction; an active biological molecule whose physiological function is noncatalytic which is capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction wherein at least one reactant is converted to one product; and means for sensing and processing information relating to changes in said environment. A method for detecting physical or chemical changes in an environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: Antigens capable of eliciting antibodies which can enhance the rate of chemical reactions at peptide bonds are disclosed. In particular, the rate of cleavage or formation of metastable peptide bonds, such as ASN-X, ASP-X, GLN-X, GLU-X, LYS-X, and HIS-Y-X, where X and Y are any amino acid, is enhanced by antibodies elicited by said antigen.

Abstract: A labeled substance comprising a biological substance linked to a luminescent rhenium-containing label. Qualitative and quantitative electrochemiluminescent assays using the same. These methods comprise contacting a sample with a reagent labeled with an electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety containing rhenium and capable of combining with the analyte of interest, exposing the resulting sample to chemical, electrochemical, or electromagnetic energy and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety.

Abstract: Qualitative and quantitative electrochemiluminescent assays for analytes of interest present in multicomponent liquids are provided. These methods comprise contacting a sample with a reagent labeled with an electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety and capable of combining with the analyte of interest, exposing the resulting sample to electrochemical energy and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electrochemiluminescent chemical moiety.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the general field of chemical and biological assays which employ electrochemiluminscence (ECL), also referred to as electrogenerated chemiluminescence. More particularly, the present invention pertains to certain classes of chemical moieties which strongly quench ECL, and the use of these ECL quenchers in combination with ECL labels, for example, in ECL assay methods which employ an ECL quencher and an ECL label. One class of such quenching moieties are those which comprise at least one benzene moiety. Sub-classes of such quenching moieties are those which comprise at least one phenol moiety, quinone moiety, benzene carboxylic acid, and/or benzene carboxylate moiety.

Abstract: Novel chemical analogs of the methadone metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) are disclosed. The derivatives can be used for formation of EDDP-protein conjugates. The conjugates can be used in turn to raise antibodies reactive with EDDP and having a low cross-reactivity with methadone. The antibodies and EDDP-enzyme polypeptide conjugates provide the basis for specific immunoassays used in monitoring compliance with methadone treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to luminescent chimeric proteins which include a photoprotein and a second protein which may be light- or heavy-chain immunoglobulin, an antigenic peptide, avidin, streptavidin, or protein A. The invention also relates to chimeric protein genes, plasmids containing said gene, and hosts transformed with said plasmid. The invention also relates to a range of highly sensitive immunoassays which use the chimeric proteins.

Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of a chemical reaction involving conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product which comprises contacting the reactant with at least one appropriate monoclonal antibody to the reactant under suitable conditions permitting formation of a complex between the monoclonal antibody and the reactant, conversion of the reactant to the product and release of the product from the complex, the monoclonal antibody being characterized by a K>1, where K=k.sub.r /k.sub.p, k.sub.r is the affinity constant of the monoclonal antibody for the reactant and k.sub.p is the affinity constant of the monoclonal antibody for the product, by an r.sub.1 >r.sub.0, where r.sub.1 is the rate of formation of the complex between the antibody and the reactant and where r.sub.0 is the rate of the chemical reaction in the absence of monclonal antibody, by an r.sub.2 >r.sub.0, where r.sub.2 is the rate of the conversion of the complexed reactant to the complexed product and by an r.sub.

Abstract: Specific, selective inhibitors of catalytic antibodies both synthetic and naturally occurring, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an inhibitor preventing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by an anti-VIP catalytic autoantibody is disclosed.

Abstract: Formation of an intramolecular cross-link in enzyme donor polypeptide fragments of .beta.-galactosidase, thereby forming a cyclic enzyme donor which is hindered from complementation with an enzyme acceptor fragment to form active of .beta.-galactosidase. The cyclic enzyme donor can be linearized by cleaving to restore complementation ability. Assays in which such cyclic enzyme donors are linearized by specific analytes are disclosed, as well as novel homobifunctional bis-maleimido cross-linking agents of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydroxy or acetate.

Abstract: Formation of an intramolecular cross-link in enzyme donor polypeptide fragments of .beta.-galactosidase, thereby forming a cyclic enzyme donor which is hindered from complementation with an enzyme acceptor fragment to form active of .beta.-galactosidase. The cyclic enzyme donor can be linearized by cleaving to restore complementation ability. Assays in which such cyclic enzyme donors are linearized by specific analytes are disclosed, as well as novel homobifunctional bis-maleimido cross-linking agents of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydroxy or acetate.

Abstract: Antigens capable of eliciting antibodies which can catalyze chemical reactions, in particular, the cleavage or formation of a peptide linkage, comprising a hapten or a hapten and a suitable carrier molecule are disclosed. Haptens include, among others, silicon and boron containing compounds. Antibodies which are catalytically active for chemical reactions, in particular, the cleavage or formation of a selected peptide linkage or an ester bond, and which are elicited by such antigens are disclosed as well as methods for producing the antibodies and methods for catalyzing the cleavage or formation of a peptide linkage or in ester bond in a molecule.

Abstract: Electrochemiluminiscent moieties having the formula?Re(P).sub.m (L.sup.1).sub.n (L.sup.2).sub.o (L.sup.3).sub.p (L.sup.4).sub.q (L.sup.5).sub.r (L.sup.6).sub.s !.sub.t (B).sub.uwhereinP is a polydentate ligand of Re;L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5 and L.sup.6 are ligands of Re, each of which may be the same as or different from each other ligand;B is a substance which is a ligand of Re or is conjugated to one or more of P, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5 or L.sup.6 ;m is an integer equal to or greater than 1;each of n, o, p, q, r and s is zero or an integer;t is an integer equal to or greater than 1; andu is an integer equal to or greater than 1;P, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5, L.sup.6 and B being of such composition and number that the chemical moiety can be induced to emit electromagnetic radiation and the total number of bonds to Re provided by the ligands of Re being equal to the coordination of Reare disclosed.