Abstract: This application relates to long-wavelength acridinium compounds having electron-donating groups, which may either be: (a) Part of an extended conjugation system attached by appropriate functional groups to the acridinium nucleus, with coplanarity of the attached functional group and the acridone moiety during light emission (geometry requirement), said functional group consisting of at least one aromatic ring and one electron-donating atom or group with an extra pair of electrons which can readily delocalize into the extended &pgr; system to which the heteroatom is directly attached or built into, and establish stable extended resonance with the electron-withdrawing carbonyl moiety of the light emitting acridone.

Abstract: Highly hydrophilic non-nucleosidic tags with multiple labels are provided for use in nucleic acid probes. The tags are branched structures having a phosphodiester backbone, which have the advantages of a small dimensional size and high hydrophilicity. After the tag is labeled, its high negative charge and minimal size help to keep the carriers away from DNA or RNA molecules, due to repulsion between negative charges. Non-specific intercalation and steric hindrance are therefore minimized, and the hydrophobicity, if any of reporter molecules is reduced. The probes are used in place of conventionally labeled oligonucleotides for a variety of hybridization reactions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing background signals encountered in nucleic acid hybridization assays and other assays that involve hybridization of a labeled oligomer to its complement. The method is premised on the significant reduction of signal generation that occurs when a quenchable dye-labeled oligomer forms a hybrid complex. In addition, a method is provided for enhancing the detectable signal emitted from an amplification multimer hybridized to an oligomer probe to which a quenchable dye has been conjugated through a linker such that the emission from the dye is not quenched upon hybrid complex formation. Novel oligonucleotide probes are also provided that comprise an oligomer to which has been directly or indirectly through a linker a quenchable dye.

Abstract: A new class of chemiluminescent acridinium or benzacridinium compounds is disclosed by virtue of forming an intramolecular energy transfer conjugate (ETC) between the acridinium or benzacridinium compound and a luminophore. A method of extending the emission wavelengths of acridinium or benzacridinium esters in order to further reduce or eliminate the emission spectral overlap between the parent polysubstituted aryl Acridinium Esters (DMAE) and Benzacridinium Esters (LEAE) is disclosed. The ETC's retain the unique desired properties of acridinium or benzacridinium compounds including complete light emission in very short period of time, monophasic emission spectrum, simplicity of triggering mechanism, ability of labeling the biological molecules of interest to form a tracer, and good stability. Additionally, the range of the emission spectrum of an acridinium or benzacridinium compound can now be shifted at will and at longer leap through the choice of a luminophore as the integral part of an ETC molecule.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium conjugates and the methods for preparation thereof. The novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium conjugates are useful in biological assays, including novel assays for the determination of Vitamin B.sub.12, folate, cortisol, estradiol, and thromboxane B.sub.2.

Abstract: An assay method incorporating at least two different chemiluminescent compounds for detection and/or quantitation of at least two substances in a test sample is described. The synthesis of chemiluminescent reagents or conjugates for use in such methods as well as kits incorporating such reagents are also disclosed. The assays have particular application in the field of clinical diagnostics.

Abstract: An assay method incorporating at least two different chemiluminescent compounds for detection and/or quantitation of at least two substances in a test sample is described. The synthesis of chemiluminescent reagents or conjugates for use in such methods as well as kits incorporating such reagents are also disclosed. The assays have particular application in the field of clinical diagnostics.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium conjugates and the methods for preparation thereof. The novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium conjugates are useful in biological assays, including novel assays for the determination of Vitamin B.sub.12, folate, cortisol, estradiol, and thromboxane B.sub.2.

Abstract: Novel acridinium esters that are useful, either alone or when incorporated into liposomes, as chemiluminescent agents in binding assays (e.g., immunoassays and gene probe assays) with improved-sensitivity are disclosed. In addition, the synthesis of these esters and their use in assays for detecting an analyte is described. In particular, assays for testosterone and the Rubella virus are disclosed.

Abstract: Vesicular luminescent conjugates comprising liposomes coupled to molecules with biological activity, such as antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids, for use in luminescent assays, are described herein. These conjugates encapsulate hydrophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters and are useful as chemiluminescent tracers in immunoassays and other binding assays.

Abstract: A novel method for conjugating haptens, ligands or luminescent labels to polynucleotides has been developed. This method involves the formation of a mixed anhydride, followed by reaction of the mixed anhydride intermediate with a nucleophilic group-containing polynucleotide in a DMF/water solvent system. The resulting compound finds usefulness especially in the gene probe area.

Abstract: A method for the detection of an analyte in a fluid sample using liposomes encapsulating acridinium esters (lumisomes). Hydrophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters are useful as chemiluminescent markers and can be encapsulated within liposome vesicles without significant leakage of the esters from the vesicles. The lumisomes can be coupled to molecules with biological activity, such as antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids, and used in luminescent assays.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the novel assay methods utilizing nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium ester conjugates as the tracers. Conjugates prepared by covalent coupling of novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters with biological compounds including small organic molecules such as Vitamin B12, folate, cortisol, estradiol, and thromboxane B2, were found useful in the development of highly sensitive assays for the analytes of diagnostic interest.

Abstract: A method for the detection of an analyte in a fluid sample using liposomes encapsulating acridinium esters (lumisomes). Hydrophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters are useful as chemiluminescent markers and can be encapsulated within liposome vesicles without significant leakage of the esters from the vesicles. The lumisomes can be coupled to molecules with biological activity, such as antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids, and used in luminescent assays.

Abstract: An assay method incorporating at least two different chemiluminescent compounds for detection and/or quantitation of at least two substances in a test sample is described. The synthesis of chemiluminescent reagents or conjugates for use in such methods as well as kits incorporating such reagents are also disclosed. The assays have particular application in the field of clinical diagnostics.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters and to novel conjugates thereof. The novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters and novel conjugates thereof are useful in biological assays, including novel assays for the determination of Vitamin B.sub.12, folate, cortisol, estradiol, and thromboxane B.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for the detection of an analyte in a fluid sample using liposomes encapsulating acridinium esters (lumisomes). Hydrophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters are useful as chemiluminescent markers and can be encapsulated within liposome vesicles without significant leakage of the esters from the vesicles. The lumisomes can be coupled to molecules with biological activity, such as antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids, and used in luminescent assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel acridinium esters which are useful as luminescent labels in specific binding assays such as immunoassays or nucleic acid hybridization assays. More particularly, polysubstituted aryl acridinium esters are highly stable labels for use in a chemiluminescent immunoassay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming stable, uniform unilamellar or oligolamellar liposomes which encapsulate a macromolecule. However, unlike prior processes, the present method maintains a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the lipid used to make the liposome both during the hydration of the lipid and, if used, during an extrusion step. In addition, the liposome is formed and the macromolecule encapsulated in a low ionic strength solution, then they are dialyzed against a high ionic strength solution.

Abstract: A method for releasing encapsulated marker molecules from within liposomes comprises contracting the liposomes with an effective amount of a water-miscible alcohol. The chemiluminescence of acridinium esters is enhanced by oxidizing the acridinium ester in the presence of an effective amount of a water-miscible alcohol.