Abstract: The present invention encompasses a capture membrane comprising a porous filter membrane having a hapten bound directly or indirectly to the membrane wherein complexes formed by specific binding having an anti-hapten bound to a binding member of the specifically binding complex are removed from a solution by the hapten as the solution passes through the membrane. In the preferred embodiment biotin is the hapten and avidin or streptavidin is the anti-hapten.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a capture membrane comprising a porous filter membrane having a hapten bound directly or indirectly to the membrane wherein complexes formed by specific binding having an anti-hapten bound to a binding member of the specifically binding complex are removed from a solution by the hapten as the solution passes through the membrane. In the preferred embodiment biotin is the hapten and avidin or streptavidin is the anti-hapten.

Abstract: A method of screening for the presence of a periodontal disease condition is disclosed. The method involves obtaining an oral fluid sample from a human subject being tested, and determining the level of native free pyridinium crosslinks (free pyridinoline and/or free deoxypyridinoline) from the subject. An above-normal level of crosslinks, when compared with a predetermined level characteristic of normal subjects, is an indication of the presence of a periodontal disease condition.

Abstract: A method of assaying bone collagen breakdown levels in a human subject useful to screen for the presence of bone resorption disorders. Also disclosed is a method for monitoring the progression and/or treatment response of a cancer condition which involves or has the potential to progress to a metastatic condition which involves abnormalities in bone resorption rates.

Abstract: A method of screening for the presence of a bone resorption abnormality is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a sweat sample from the subject, and determining the level of native free pyridinoline (Pyd) and/or deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) in the sample. The determined level is compared with a predetermined level characteristic of normal subjects, and an above-normal level is an indication that the subject has a bone resorption abnormality.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for detecting the incorporation of a hapten into a protein or macromolecule are disclosed. The compounds comprise haptens bound directly or indirectly to a chromophoric group and a macromolecule-reactive group, whereby incorporation of the hapten into a protein or other macromolecule may be detected.

Abstract: A method of assaying a human urine sample, by measuring a concentration of pyridinium crosslinks from which the concentration of total hydrolysed pyridinoline in the sample can be determined, is disclosed. In the method, a urine sample is reacted with an anti-Pyd antibody reagent which preferably has a ratio of reactivity toward native free pyridinoline and urinary pyridinoline peptides larger than 1,000 daltons in molecular weight, of greater than 10:1. By measuring the extent of immunocomplex formed by the reaction, the concentration of total hydrolysed pyridinoline in the sample can be calculated. Also disclosed are an antibody reagent and kit which can be used in the method.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for detecting the incorporation of a hapten into a protein or macromolecules are disclosed. The compounds comprise haptens bound directly or indirectly to a chromophoric group and a macromolecules-reactive group, whereby incorporation of the hapten into a protein or other macromolecules may be detected. The disclosure includes a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n.sub.1 is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;n.sub.2 is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;R.sub.1 is either a carboxytetramethyl-rhodamyl, sulforhodamyl101, or dinitrophenylaminohexanoyl group; andR.sub.2 is --CO.sub.2 H, --NH.sub.

Abstract: A multibeam photometric measuring device includes a light assembly comprising a single modulated light source along with a filter assembly for passing only a desired band of wavelengths and an optical system for suitably focusing light from the light source. A plurality of light transmitting means accept light and transmit it individually to each of the plurality of sites disposed on a multi-well sample plate.Enhancement of color distribution resulting from chromogenic reactions is provided by automatic agitation of the reacting agents within the sample wells before a reading is taken at each of the sampling intervals of a kinetic measurement sequence.

Abstract: Picogram amounts of DNA can be detected in a sample by the use of high-affinity, single-stranded DNA binding proteins. The assay is applicable not only to pure DNA samples but also to samples containing significant amounts of protein.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for removing proteins from a solution containing polynucleotides and proteins comprising filtering the solution through a nitrocellulose membrane at neutral or basic pH.

Abstract: Picogram amounts of DNA can be detected in a sample by the use of high affinity single-stranded DNA binding proteins. The assay is applicable not only to pure DNA samples but also to samples containing significant amounts of protein.

Abstract: A multibeam photometric measuring device includes a single light source along with a filter assembly for passing only a desired band of wavelengths and an optical system for suitably focusing light from the light source. Light is transmitted individually to each of a plurality of sites disposed on a multi-well sample plate. Enhancement of color distribution is provided by automatic agitation of the reacting agents within the sample wells before a reading is taken at each of the sampling intervals of a kinetic measurement sequence.

Abstract: Picogram amounts of DNA can be detected in a sample by the use of high-affinity, single-stranded DNA binding proteins. The assay is applicable not only to pure DNA samples but also to samples containing significant amounts of protein.

Abstract: A liposome assay reagent for determination of an analyte in a homogeneous immunoassay. The reagent includes a suspension of oligolamellar lipid vesicles containing encapsulated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), at a specific activity of between about 1-15 units/.mu.mole vesicle lipid, and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) at a concentration of at least about 5 mM. The encapsulated G6P protects the enzyme against inactivation on preparation, by reverse phase evaporation in the presence of organic solvent, and on storage as an aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A lipid coupling reagent for use in coupling amine-containing molecules, such as proteins, to liposomes. The reagent includes phosphatidylethanolamine coupled to a 3-20 atom carbon-containing spacer arm terminating at a carboxyl or thiocarboxyl group. Also disclosed are liposomes prepared to include between about 1 and 20 mole percent of the coupling reagent, and liposomes containing surface arrays of proteins attached to the liposomes through the coupling reagent.

Abstract: A blood fluid composition for use in a complement-mediated cell lysis system. The composition includes a blood fluid, which may be either a serum source of complement, analyte-containing serum, or both, and lipid vesicles capable of reducing the extent of non-specific cell lysis produced when the blood fluid is added to lysable target cells in the system. The vesicles are present in an amount which increases the ratio of ligand-specific to non-specific cell lysis in the system at least 2-fold and preferably 4-fold or more over that achievable in the system in the absence of the vesicles.

Abstract: A microtiter plate prepared from a hydrophobic plastic is rendered more hydrophilic by treatment of the surfaces of the wells of the microplate prior to use. The resulting plates are particularly useful in vertical beam photometry.

Abstract: An enhanced agglutination assay method for determination of a multivalent analyte is disclosed. Analyte is added to agglutinatable particles coated with anti-analyte molecules to produce particle agglutination. The extent of agglutination is enhanced by mixing the particles and analyte with an analyte-binding reagent composed of lipid bodies. The reagent bodies act by promoting multiple analyte bridge connections between individual bridged particles and a reagent body. Also disclosed is a kit containing such particles and reagent.

Abstract: A liposome assay reagent for determination of an analyte in a homogeneous immunoassay. The reagent includes a suspension of oligolamellar lipid vesicles containing encapsulated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), at a specific activity of between about 1-10 units/.mu.mole vesicle lipid, and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) at a concentration of at least about 5 mM. The encapsulated G6P protects the enzyme against inactivation on preparation, by reverse phase evaporation in the presence of organic solvent, and on storage as an aqueous suspension.