Abstract: The invention provides an immunogen comprising a hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with at least one structural epitope of metabolites of fentanyl and of metabolites of fentanyl analogs.

Abstract: Novel haptens, which can be conjugated to form immunogens, are of formula I, II or III 1

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten comprising a 6-[D-&agr;-aminoacetamido]penicillin derivative crosslinked at the &agr;-amino group with a substituted or unsubstituted phenyldicarbaldehyde. In addition, the invention provides an immunogen comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with at least one structural epitope of an intact &bgr;-lactam ring.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten derivatised with a crosslinker at the nitrogen of the 8&bgr;-carboxamide of 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD. The invention also provides an immunogen comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material; a conjugate comprising the aforementioned hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with at least the 3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone structural epitope of 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD.

Abstract: An assay assembly comprising a chip on which an array of reactive species is immobilized, the chip being located in a storage well having a base and side walls.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing an enzyme during freezing, wherein the enzyme is in a zwitterionic buffer solution. The zwitterionic buffer is able to maintain the activity of the enzyme during freezing and thawing.

Abstract: A spin-trapping assay for nitric oxide, in a biological system such as whole blood, uses as the spin trap a lipid-soluble nitrobenzene compound such as 2,6-dimethylnitrosobenzene.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a diaphragm utilising a precision grinding technique after etching a cavity in a wafer. A technique for preventing distortion of the diaphragm based on use of a sacrificial layer of porous silicon is disclosed.

Abstract: A passive microvalve comprises a substrate having a first aperture. An upper plate is mounted on the substrate and has a second aperture opening into a space defined between the substrate and the upper plate. A closure member is mounted in the space and is movable between a first position in which it allows fluid flow between the first and second apertures and a second position in which it closes the second aperture.

Abstract: Multi-analyte microarrays are produced by first attaching to the surface of a solid support, a silane with an electrophilic terminal group, contacting the terminal group with a polyamine, and activating the polyamine with an electrophilic, bifunctional linker.

Abstract: A biochip deposition system and method. The system comprises a deposit mechanism for depositing organic material in spots on a substrate; and a viewing system for detecting the spots on the substrate during a deposit operation and before the spots have dried, for determining if the spots have been correctly deposited, and if not, for generating a suitable output signal. The viewing system includes an illumination device for illuminating deposited spots at a relatively low angle relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A solid state device for performing multi-analyte assays, comprises a substrate and a multiplicity of discrete reaction sites each bearing a ligand covalently bonded to the substrate, wherein the surface of the substrate between the reaction sites is inert with respect to analyte. Such a device may be obtained by a process of activating the surface of the substrate, and applying an array of ligands on to discrete areas on the surface.

Abstract: A method for imaging molecules contained in an array of discrete reaction sites on the surface of a solid support comprises:

Abstract: An assay for an analyte in a sample, wherein the sample is contacted with an array of ligands including a ligand specific for the analyte, additionally comprises including a scavenger material that binds the analyte and thereby reduces its available concentration.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing an enzyme during freezing, wherein the enzyme is in a zwitterionic buffer solution. The zwitterionic buffer is able to maintain the activity of the enzyme during freezing and thawing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a diaphragm utilizing a precision grinding technique after etching a cavity in a wafer. A technique for preventing distortion of the diaphragm based on use of a sacrificial layer of porous silicon is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of analysing an image to obtain an image value. The image comprises a defined array of pixel values. The method comprises (1) determining the highest pixel value in the image; (2) calculating a lower threshold pixel value from the highest pixel value determined in step (1) in accordance with a predetermined algorithm; and (3) obtaining the image value by statistically analysing the pixel values in the image which lie in a range defined by the lower threshold pixel value calculated in step (2).

Abstract: Liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a support member which supports a movably mounted dispensing member. The support member is movable between first and second positions. A single drive system causes the dispensing member to move relative to the support member to a number of dispense positions while the support member is in its first position and causes the support member to move to the second position.

Abstract: First and second reactants that give a signal when mixed in the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample, are separately contained in sol-gels that release the reactants in the presence of the liquid. For example, when the first and second reactants respectively comprise an oxidant and a reductant, and the reaction provides a detectable signal, the system can be used to detect the presence of contaminants in a water sample. The sol-gel may be obtained by reaction of water with, per part by volume thereof, at least 2 parts of a metal alkoxide, and drying the resultant gel.