Abstract: A color image analysis method makes it possible to analyze plural components of a compound individually through formation of an image. Initially, a picture or the image of the compound including the plurality of components is taken by a fluorescence digital image microscope. Then, one or more images of one of the components are extracted or divided from the image of the compound on the basis of color-phase, or color-phase and brightness.

Abstract: A color image analysis method makes it possible to analyze plural components of a compound individually through formation of an image. Initially, a picture or the image of the compound including the plurality of components is taken by a fluorescence digital image microscope. Then, one or more images of one of the components are extracted or divided from the image of the compound on the basis of color-phase, or color-phase and brightness.

Abstract: A fluorescent dye-forming composition is provided that contains a fluorescence-generating substrate of formula (I): where R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, or an electron-donating group selected from a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, an amino group di-substituted with a lower alkyl group, and an aryl group; L is selected from —NHCO— or —CONH—; Y is selected from -alkylene-COOH or formula (II):  where R3, R4 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, carboxyl group, or an electron-donating group selected from a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, an amino group di-substituted with a lower alkyl group, and an aryl group. Alternatively, two of R3, R4 and R5 form, together with the adjacent carbon atoms to which they bond, a fused 5-membered or 6-membered hydrocarbon ring.

Abstract: A method for working in a specimen includes the steps of (a) putting the specimen on a stage; (b) irradiating radiation to the specimen for excitation; (c) recording detected characteristics of the excited specimen by the radiation; (d) displaying the recorded characteristics on the stage; (e) storing the recorded characteristics of the excited specimen; (f) maintaining display of the stored characteristics on the stage; and (g) working on the specimen on the stage over the displayed characteristics. An operator may easily access to the specimen with a scalpel or a knife since the detected characteristics are displayed on the stage after the detection of the characteristics. Even if the detection requires harmful radiation such as ultraviolet light, the operator may work in the specimen after turning off such harmful radiation. Therefore, the operator does not have to wear any protection against the harmful radiation so as to work in the specimen more easily and efficiently.

Abstract: A method of detecting nucleic acids, proteins, or protein nucleic acid complexes. The method includes binding an enzyme, such as phosphatase, to a specimen of the nucleic acid, protein, or protein nucleic acid complex. The enzyme is then reacted with a fluorescein derivative phosphate ester to obtain a fluorescein derivative phosphate ester hydrolysate. The hydrolysate is then irradiated with excitation light, and the emitted fluorescein is detected.

Abstract: A method of detecting nucleic acid utilizes hybridization between the nucleic acid to be detected which is present on an immobilizing support and a DNA probe which is complementary to at least a portion of the desired nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid. The present DNA probe includes a hapten attached via a linker which a hapten is gibberellin or a gibberellin derivative. After hybridization by reaction between the nucleic acid to be detected and the DNA probe, the unreacted DNA probe is removed, and then labelled anti-hapten antibody is allowed to bind with the DNA probe of the hybrid and the labelling is used to detect the nucleic acid.Accordingly, stable detecting sensitivity may be achieved regardless of the label mixing ratio or labelling ratio, and thus regardless of the nucleotide sequence composition of the nucleic acid being tested.

Abstract: A method for assaying nucleic acids or similar compounds comprises binding a sample such as a nucleic acid to phosphatase; reacting the phosphatase with a 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid-2'-phenyl anilide phosphate; irradiating the reaction product with an excited light; and detecting fluorescence emitted therefrom.

Abstract: Methods for detecting nucleic acids in a sample, using naphthol derivative phosphates, are provided. Nucleic acids present in a sample are contacted with phosphatase, producing a modified phosphatase. A naphthol derivative phosphate is contacted with the modified phosphatase to produce a reaction product. Any reaction product formed is detected by irradiating it with an excited light and detecting a fluorescence emitted from the reaction product. Naphthol derivative phosphates useful in these methods are also provided. Methods for production of naphthol derivative phosphates are also provided.

Abstract: An easy operable method of detecting phosphatase which comprises a step for the production of a dye to obtain an azo dye by the reaction of phosphatase in a tissue or cell or on chromosome with a 2'-naphthol AS phosphate, specifically, 3-hydroxy- N-2'-biphenyl-2-naphthalenecarboxamide phosphate ester, followed by the reaction between the dephosphorylated 2'-naphthol AS compound with a diazonium salt; an excitation step for the irradiation of excited light to the azo dye; and a detection step for the detection of fluorescence which is emitted upon irradiation of the excited light. The fluorescence is intense and lasts for a long time.

Abstract: Method for assaying nucleic acids and proteins employing no radiosotope labeling, which is suitable for data storage and allows to carry out the detection efficiently and high sensitivity. The sample selectable from the group of nucleic acids, proteins, and other chemical compounds is adhered on a nylon membrane filter to be bound to a phosphatase. Then the phosphatase is reacted with an anthracene derivative phosphate followed by irradiating the reaction product with ultraviolet light to detect a fluorescence emitted therefrom.