Abstract: The present invention provides solid-phase saccharide dyes. The dyes are bisboronic acids covalently bonded to a solid substrate. The dyes selectively conjugate with saccharides, particularly glucose, and register a signal. The signal is proportional to the quantity of saccharide. Thus, the dyes of the present invention are useful for measuring and monitoring saccharide levels, particularly in biological fluids such as blood.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic compound expressed by the general formula (I), wherein A represents of a fused aromatic hydrocarbon moiety such as triphenylene, X represents a hydrogen-bonding site such as an atomic group containing an amide linkage, Y represents a chain functional group such as an alkyl group having 3 to 18, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer ranging from 2 to 10. The aromatic compound forms a molecular assembly in which the aromatic rings mutually overlap and exhibits an excellent charge carrier transfer property AX—Y)n.

Abstract: A nucleic acid is effectively introduced into a cell while suppressing the cytotoxicity by administering a nucleic acid complex comprising a high molecular weight derivative of ?-poly-L-lysine and a nucleic acid to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid-phase saccharide dyes. The dyes are bisboronic acids covalently bonded to a solid substrate. The dyes selectively conjugate with saccharides, particularly glucose, and register a signal. The signal is proportional to the quantity of saccharide. Thus, the dyes of the present invention are useful for measuring and monitoring saccharide levels, particularly in biological fluids such as blood.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic compound expressed by the general formula (I), wherein A represents of a fused aromatic hydrocarbon moiety such as triphenylene, X represents a hydrogen-bonding site such as an atomic group containing an amide linkage, Y represents a chain functional group such as an alkyl group having 3 to 18, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer ranging from 2 to 10. The aromatic compound forms a molecular assembly in which the aromatic rings mutually overlap and exhibits an excellent charge carrier transfer property.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene carriers utilizing ?-1,3-glucan and methods of preparing the same. The ?-1,3-glucan has at least one 1,6-glucopyranoside branch and is chemically modified through periodate oxidation and reductive amination so as to impart nucleic acid-binding functional groups (for example, cationic functional groups) to at least some of the 1,6-glucopyranoside branches thereof. Triple helix ?-1,3-glucan is dissolved in a polar organic solvent to form single-stranded ?-1,3-glucan. By replacing, in the presence of a nucleic acid, the polar organic solvent for the solution containing the chemically modified single-stranded ?-1,3-glucan by water, a complex (gene carrier) is formed in which the nucleic acid is bound to double-stranded ?-1,3-glucan.

Abstract: A low-cost cell culture device with low cytotoxicity and improved cell adhesion is described, manufactured by a simplified coating process. At least the portion for cell culture on the surface of the cell culture device is coated with at least one of ?-poly-L-lysine, further polymerized derivatives of ?-poly-L-lysine and their salts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of &bgr;-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel chiral boronic acid compounds which are capable of binding to polyols, particularly to saccharides and are useful in the analysis or separation of diols.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluorescent compound of a molecular structure comprising a fluorophore, at least one phenylboronic acid moiety, and at least one amine-providing nitrogen atom where the nitrogen atom is disposed in the vicinity of the phenylboronic acid moiety so as to interact intermolecularly with the boronic acid. The compound emits fluorescence of a high intensity upon binding to saccharide(s), and is therefore suitable for use in the detection of saccharide(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in the process for preparing a calixarene derivative in which the rotation of its benzene units are hindered and which comprises replacing all or a part of the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl groups of a calixarene derivative represented by the general formula: ##STR1## and is characterized by conducting the reaction in the presence of an alkaline earth metal. According to the present invention, an asymmetric calixarene derivative having a "cone" conformation can be selectively prepared by virtue of the template effect of the metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in the process for preparing a calixarene derivative in which the rotation of its benzene units are hindered and which comprises replacing all or a part of the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl groups of a calixarene derivative represented by the general formula: ##STR1## and is characterized by conducting the reaction in the presence of an alkaline earth metal. According to the present invention, an asymmetric calixarene derivative having a "cone" conformation can be selectively prepared by virtue of the template effect of the metal.