Abstract: The present invention provides a method of aiding the differential diagnosis of haemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke and a transient ischemic attack in a patient who has suffered or is suffering a stroke. The method comprises: (i) determining the concentration of the biomarkers VCAM-1, GFAP and CRP in an ex vivo sample obtained from the patient; and (ii) establishing the statistical significance of the concentration of the biomarkers. Optionally, the method further comprises steps of (iii) determining the concentration of the biomarkers IL-6 and sTNFR1 in an ex vivo sample obtained from the patient; (iv) determining the gender of the patient; and (v) establishing the statistical significance of the concentration of the five biomarkers, in conjunction with the patient's gender. The present invention also provides substrates comprising probes for VCAM-1, GFAP and CRP for use in a method for aiding the differential diagnosis of stroke.

Abstract: A biochip well is disclosed, including a vessel containing a well therewithin, the vessel forming at least base and side walls of the well and defining at least one aperture giving access to the well, and further including retaining means for holding a biochip at a predetermined position within the well, the well including a laterally offset region into which the biochip does not protrude when held at the predetermined position by the retaining means. Also disclosed are sealed well assemblies and apparatus and methods for opening sealed wells.

Abstract: The invention describes epistatic interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms on genes associated with blood pressure and provides an application for their use in a method to determine an individual's susceptibility to hypertension and hence whether anti-hypertensive treatment will be beneficial for said individual. In addition gene expression levels are also linked to blood pressure and may also be used to determine susceptibility to hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cap for a biochip storage well. The cap comprises a resilient sealant layer capable, under the application of pressure, of forming a vapour-proof seal with a line contact interface formation extending around the perimeter of a biochip storage well. An assay assembly comprising the cap of the invention and a biochip storage is disclosed. Methods of sealing a biochip storage well using a cap of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies for use in detecting polymyxins and tracers; and to a single-capture immunodetection method and kits, each utilising the antibodies of the invention, and disclosed tracers.

Abstract: An immunoassay method for detecting and determining adamantane substituted indazole and indole synthetic cannabinoids is described. Also described are components for use in implementing the method, namely, antibodies, detection agents, solid state devices and kits as well as immunogens used to raise the antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating paired T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Also disclosed are methods of automatically identifying the TCR alpha and beta chain V segment sequences and CDR3 sequences of a TCR having antigenic specificity for a mutated amino acid sequence encoded by a cancer-specific mutation. Methods of preparing a population of cells that express paired TCR alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, are also disclosed. Isolated pairs of TCR alpha and beta chain sequences and isolated populations of cells prepared by the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of extracting material from a fluid method of extracting material from a fluid, the fluid being held within a fluid chamber. The method comprises drawing, with a magnetic field generating system, at least one magnetically susceptible member through the fluid around a closed path between at least three points in the chamber, said at least one member being adapted to bind to material in fluid in the chamber. The at least three points are arranged relative to each other in a shape having at least two dimensions, the magnetic field generating system being configured to move the at least on magnetically susceptible member directly between the at least three points, material in the fluid binding to the at least one magnetically susceptible member when it comes into contact with the at least one member as it moves through the fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and solid states devices for detecting and staging chronic kidney disease in a patient, where the levels of biomarkers in a sample obtained from a patient are elevated or reduced compared to the levels in a sample obtained from healthy subject. In addition, the disclosure provides the use of methods and solid state devices for measurement of specific biological markers for determining the efficacy of a treatment for chronic kidney disease and for determining a drug treatment protocol for a subject suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Abstract: Antibodies, immunoassay methods and kits for the detection and determination of 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl)methyl]benzamide and 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1-(methylamino)cyclohexyl)methyl]benzamide, as well as the precursory immunogens, are described.

Abstract: Components for enabling immunodection of indazole synthetic cannabinoids are described including immunogens, haptens, antibodies, methods and kits.

Abstract: The use of glial fibrillary acidic protein as a marker of pernicious stroke is described

Abstract: A substrate comprising a coating of a masking material, and a plurality of discrete reaction zones onto which one or more binding agents are intended to be attached, wherein said zones are uncoated areas on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stratifying a patient suffering from CKD into one of stages 1-3 of CKD, comprising determining the level of the biomarkers FABP1, ?-GT, AST, creatinine and cystatin C in a sample obtained from the patient and comparing the level of FABP1 in the sample to a control value and the levels of ?-GT, AST, creatinine and cystatin C in the sample to a range of control values for each biomarker, wherein an increased level of FABP1 compared to the control value and levels of ?-GT, AST, creatinine and cystatin C within the range of control values for each biomarker indicate that the patient suffers from stage 1 CKD or wherein an increased level of FABP1 compared to the control value, levels of ?-GT and AST within the range of control values for each biomarker, and increased levels of creatinine and cystatin C compared to an upper threshold of the control range for these biomarkers indicate that the patient suffers from stage 2 or stage 3 CKD.

Abstract: Described are methods and kits for diagnosing stroke using GFAP derivatives.

Abstract: An immunoassay method is described which detects O-desmethyltramadol only. This enables an assay of high sensitivity and specificity avoiding false positive results. The unique antibodies incorporated in the immunoassay method can be combined with antibodies which detect mitragynine to provide an assay which increases the possibility of detecting the commonly found drug combination of O-desmethyltramadol and mitragynine.

Abstract: A substrate comprising a coating of a masking material, and a plurality of discrete reaction zones onto which one or more binding agents are intended to be attached, wherein said zones are uncoated areas on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiplexing system comprising a support substrate having immobilised thereto one or more of the following proteins, fragments thereof or a binding molecule, wherein the binding molecule binds specifically to one of the following proteins: E-FABP, B-FABP, IL-FABP, I-FABP, M-FABP, A-FABP, H-FABP, L-FABP or T-FABP. Another aspect is directed to a method for characterising the pattern of FABP antigens existing within a biological sample to reveal information useful in the diagnosis or disease or injury.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for screening for cancer in a subject, by measuring the level of dimeric IL-18 in a sample obtained from the subject, and comparing that level with the level in a normal control sample. The present invention also describes an assay for screening for cancer in a subject, by measuring the level of dimeric IL-18 in a sample obtained from the subject, whereby an elevated level of dimeric IL-18 is indicative of cancer.

Abstract: A substrate comprising a coating of a masking material, and a plurality of discrete reaction zones onto which one or more binding agents are intended to be attached, wherein said zones are uncoated areas on the substrate.