Abstract: A purified peptide mimotope which is capable of binding specifically to an antibody specific to estradiol. Also disclosed is an immunoassay test device for the detection in a sample of estradiol, the immunoassay test device comprising a peptide mimotope of estradiol, and an antibody capable of binding specifically to the peptide mimotope to generate a detectable signal.

Abstract: A purified peptide mimotope which is capable of binding specifically to an antibody specific to estradiol. Also disclosed is an immunoassay test device for the detection in a sample of estradiol, the immunoassay test device comprising a peptide mimotope of estradiol, and an antibody capable of binding specifically to the peptide mimotope to generate a detectable signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting the presence of an analyte of interest in a sample, the method comprising the steps of: providing a binding partner reversibly immobilised on a solid support, said binding partner having binding specificity for the analyte; contacting the sample with the solid support; specifically displacing the binding partner from the solid support in response to the presence of the analyte of interest in the sample, said displacement causing a reduction in the mass of material immobilised on the solid support, thereby generating a detectable change in a mass-dependent property of the solid support; and detecting said change. Also disclosed is an assay device for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: An antibody specific for a target analyte is purified by affinity chromatography on a substrate bearing a low-affinity analogue of the target analyte. The antibody is displaced from the substrate by contact with a second analogue of intermediate affinity, which remains complexed with the antibody. This complex can be used in a conventional assay for the target analyte, which displaces the intermediate-affinity analogue. The complexed antibody is rendered more storage-stable because the second analogue protects the antibody binding reagion.

Abstract: A test for microbial growth is carried out by culturing a microorgnism to be tested in a lliquid culture medium containing an enzymatically hydrolyzable fluorogenic substrate for a period of less than about 7 hours, measuring fluorescence of the culture medium resulting from hydrolysis of the fluorogenic substrate by growth of the microorganism, continuing culturing of the microorganism in the culture medium for an additional period, and measuring microorganism growth by a non-fluorescent method as a confirmatory test of growth determined from fluorescence. Preferably, the additional culture period is overnight and the non-fluorescent method is by visual inspection. The culture medium may be in the wall of a microtitre plate, and the culture medium can contain an antibiotic to test for sensitivity of a microorganism to the antibiotic or to test for minimum inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic.

Abstract: A method of determining the susceptibility of microorganisms to an antimicrobial substance wherein the microorganisms are cultured in the presence of the antimicrobial substance, and growth or lack of growth is assessed by detecting a fluorescent product resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of a fluorogenic substrate. The fluorogenic substrates include 7-N-(aminoacyl)-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, 7-N-(alanyl)-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, or a combination of 7-N-(alanyl)-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin and 4-methyl umbelliferyl phosphate.