Abstract: A heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having a hydrolytically degradable linkage, a first terminus comprising an acrylate group, and a second terminus comprising a target such as a protein or pharmaceutical agent or a reactive moiety capable of coupling to a target. Hydrogels can be prepared. The hydrogels can be used as a carrier for a protein or a pharmaceutical agent that can be readily released in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A method for making a medical device having at least one biomolecule immobilized on a substrate surface is provided. One method of the present invention includes immobilizing a biomolecule comprising an unsubstituted amide moiety on a biomaterial surface. Another method of the present invention includes immobilizing a biomolecule on a biomaterial surface comprising an unsubstituted amide moiety. Still another method of the present invention may be employed to crosslink biomolecules comprising unsubstituted amide moieties immobilized on medical device surfaces. Additionally, one method of the present invention may be employed to crosslink biomolecules comprising unsubstituted amide moieties in solution, thereby forming a crosslinked biomaterial or a crosslinked medical device coating.

Abstract: A selective adsorption material made by the process comprising: a) non-cavalently or reversibly-covalently binding a print molecule to at least two styrene, acrylate or silica monomers, each of which monomers brinds to said print molecule by means of a different functional group; b) immobilizing said bound monomers by being polymerized to each other in the presence of an effective amount of cross-linker; and c) removing said print molecule from said polymer by extraction to leave a cavity in said polymer which is stereo-tailored to a biological molecule of interest; and wherein said print molecule is the biological molecule of interest.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of carbohydrate crosslinked glycoprotein crystals. Advantageously, such crosslinked glycoprotein crystals display stability to harsh environmental conditions, while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the glycoprotein backbone. According to one embodiment, this invention relates to methods for concentrating proteins that have been modified by carbohydrates and for releasing their activity at controlled rates. This invention also provides methods for producing carbohydrate crosslinked glycoprotein crystals and methods for using them in pharmaceutical formulations, vaccines, immunotherapeutics, personal care compositions, including cosmetics, veterinary pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines, foods, feeds, diagnostics, cleaning agents, including detergents and decontamination formulations.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer layer on a support surface by the use of a coating agent and polymerizable compounds. The coating agent provides photoreactive groups adapted to attach the agent to the surface, as well as photoreactive groups adapted to remain unattached to the surface, and thus serve as photoinitiators for the activation of polymerizable compounds in order to form a polymer layer thereon. Also provided are coating agents, per se, as well as a method of using such agents and the resultant surfaces and devices fabricated therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method of a general library and a focused library from crude extracts of natural products including herbal drugs, said libraries, and the method for developing new drugs such as an anticancer drug and new substances using said libraries. The method comprises step of attaching crude extract of natural products to the solid phase resin, and step of washing the compounds and reactants that are not attached.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for azide tagging of biomolecules. In one embodiment of the invention, proteins are tagged by metabolic incorporation of prenylated azido-analog substrates. Examples of such analogs are azido farnesyl diphosphate and azido farnesyl alcohol. The azido moiety in the resulting modified proteins provides an affinity tag, which can be chemoselectively captured by an azide-specific conjugation reaction, such as the Staudinger reaction, using a phosphine capture reagent. When the capture agent is biotinylated, the resulting conjugates can be detected and affinity-purified by streptavidin-linked- HRP and streptavidin-conjugated agarose beads, respectively. The invention allows detection and isolation of proteins with high yield, high specificity, and low contamination without harsh treatment of proteins.

Abstract: A bioactive catalytic material is disclosed for providing protection from chemical exposure. The material is composed of enzymes immobilized within polyelectrolyte multilayers and a polymerizable end-capping layer to render stability to enzymes. Also disclosed is the related method for making a bioactive catalytic material and their deposition on substrates of varying size, shape and flexibility for providing active protection from chemical exposure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of immobilizing an affinity reagent or affinity reagents on a hydrophobic solid phase which can be used in biological assays for analyte detection. The invention relates more particularly to a method of immobilizing an affinity reagent on a hydrophobic solid phase functionalized by a carboxyl group, said method comprising a step for activation of said solid phase and a step for coupling of the affinity reagent to said solid phase, characterized in that the step for activation of said solid phase uses a combination of a carbodiimide and a phosphate buffer in the presence of a co-activator and in an acid medium, and in that the coupling step is performed in a basic medium. The invention further relates to the reactive complexes obtained by this method and to their use in immunoassay kits, hybridization kits or enzymatic assay kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of fluorogenic or chromogenic dyes as reporter molecules for detecting cell entry by a specific molecule.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a biologically active molecule having an increased serum half-life. The method involves conjugating a polymer such as polyethylene glycol to the biologically active molecule. Also provided are polypeptide drugs having an increased serum half-life, e.g., human urokinase plasminogen activator (human “uPA” or “hUPA”) or a fragment or derivative thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such molecules and methods of using them to treat uPA-mediated and uPA receptor-mediated disorders are also provided.

Abstract: Described are compositions with tethered growth effector molecules, and methods of using these compositions for growing cells and tissues. Growth effector molecules, including growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules, are flexibly tethered to a solid substrate. The compositions can be used either in vitro or in vivo to grow cells and tissues. By tethering the growth factors, they will not diffuse away from the desired location. By making the attachment flexible, the growth effector molecules can more naturally bind to cell surface receptors. A significant feature of these compositions and methods is that they enhance the biological response to the growth factors. The method also offers other advantages over the traditional methods, in which growth factors are delivered in soluble form: (1) the growth factor is localized to a desired target cell population; (2) significantly less growth factor is needed to exert a biologic response.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the detection of an analyte in a sample using analyte-specific conjugates which have at least one heterologous group for an analyte-independent binding to a control zone. The present invention additionally provides new conjugates and reagent kits.

Abstract: The present invention features novel compositions, linkers, derivatized solid supports, and methods for the efficient solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides, including RNA, DNA, RNA-DNA chimeras, and analogs thereof.

Abstract: Artificial modulation of ascorbate level was investigated in mice capable of de novo synthesis of ascorbate. When mice were given exogenous ascorbate or its physiological precursor, L-gulono-?-lactone, the plasma level of ascorbate was elevated substantially but immediately returned to the basal levels. Comparably, the administration of ascorbate oxidase caused a rapid disappearance of plasma ascorbate but followed by an immediate restoration of ascorbate. These results indicate the difficulties encountered in the modulation of ascorbate level in the animal. However, the circulation life of the exogenous ascorbate oxidase in the animal was successfully extended by chemical modification with methoxypolyethylene glycol. The modified enzyme retained a full activity and exerted a remarkably prolonged depletion of plasma ascorbate compared with the native enzyme.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing polyhydroxyalkanoate-containing structure, at least a part of a base material surface of the structure being coated with polyhydroxyalkanoate, the method comprises the steps of immobilizing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase on the base material surface, synthesizing, on the base material surface, polyhydroxyalkanoate using a 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A to become the substrate of the synthase and the synthase and coating at least a part of the base material surface with the synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoate, wherein the synthase contains an amino acid sequence capable of binding to the base material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of evaluating the immunological status of a subject comprising the steps of 1) determining the content of an antibody in a liquid sample from the subject using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the presence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 1, 2) determining the content of an antibody in the liquid sample using an immunoassay, wherein the reaction between the antibody of the sample and a ligand in the form of an antigen, an antibody or a hapten, the ligand being directed to the Fab region of the sample antibody, is carried out in the absence of other constituents of the sample to obtain a measurement 2, and 3) interrelating measurements 1 and 2 to express the interference and using the interference as a parameter for evaluating the immunological status of the subje

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive system comprising at least one active surface of plastic from monomers containing at least one structural element derived from a carbon dioxide (A), and at least one substance associated to a linker with at least one structural element (B) capable of establishing a hydrogen bond, and involving an interaction between the structural elements (A) and (B). That interactive system is suitable for presenting and eliminating substances in liquids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to uricase modified with polyethylene glycol and to methods of treating different illnesses characterized by increased circulating uric acid levels, including but not limited to, hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting specific target-cells in a simple and time saving way, using paramagnetic particles, antibodies recognizing the Fc portions of target-cell associating antibodies and target-cell associating antibodies directed to specific antigen determinants in the target-cell membranes. Incubation of the cell suspension with a mild detergent and/or second set of antibodies or antibody fragments, prelabeled or not with fluorescent agents, metallocolloids, radioisotopes, biotincomplexes or certain enzymes allowing visualization, with dramatically increase the specificity of the method. The method can further be used for isolation of the target-cells by magnetic field application and kit for performing the method according to the invention is described.

Abstract: Enzymes are modified by incorporating anchor sites for linking the enzymes to a target surface without destroying the catalytic activity of the enzymes. A stable carrier to accommodate and bind the selected enzyme is constructed, and the enzyme is non-covalently linked to the carrier, generally through metal salts of iminodiacetate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for catalysing complex reactions or large molecules, more specifically, to enzyme-catalysed reactions during which undesirable consecutive or subsidiary reactions usually occur; using enzymes which are bonded to a polymer support. According to the invention, undesirable consecutive or subsidiary reactions are to a large extent avoided by selecting a non-porous or almost non-porous support material. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the enzymatic extraction of biomolecules, preferably peptides, proteins, oligosaccharides or polysaccharides from their biologically inactive precursors using enzymes which are bonded to a polymer support, especially a method for extracting insulins or their analogs from the corresponding precursors using enzymes which are bonded to a polymer support.

Abstract: A high capacity assay platform capable of binding target molecules includes a substrate and a polymer matrix attached to the substrate. The polymer matrix comprises a plurality of polymer molecules where at least some of the polymer molecules are covalently attached directly to the substrate and at least some of which molecules are crosslinked to other polymer molecules. Some of the polymer molecules have at least one binding ligand covalently attached thereto, and the density of the polymer matrix on the substrate is at least 2 &mgr;g/cm2.

Abstract: A gelatin-based substrate for fabricating protein arrays, the substrate comprising: gelatin having at least one surface; a polymer scaffold affixed to the gelatin surface; wherein the polymer in the scaffold is rich in reactive units capable of immobilizing proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bioprocess engineering solution for a product removal process for use in a biofermentation. The invention discloses a process for withdrawing an aliquot of broth from a biofermentation vessel during at least a portion of the biofermentation, removing biocatalyst and water, chromatographically separating biofermentation products from the withdrawn broth using water as an eluent, and returning the remaining components of the broth back to the biofermentation vessel. Process chromatography permits highly selective separation of the target molecule, preventing feedback inhibition of the biofermentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous polymeric materials, methods of making them, and applications in medical devices. A specific embodiment of the invention encompasses a material comprising a porous polyolefin substrate containing inclusions of a material to which chemical or biological moieties are attached directly or via a spacer.

Abstract: A method for measuring a thiol group-containing compound, which comprises the steps of (1) contacting a sample containing a thiol group-containing compound with a thin membrane comprising a microparticle of a substance selected from the group consisting of a metal and a metal compound and comprising a hydrophilic binder; and (2) detecting a color change on the thin membrane resulting from interaction of the thiol group-containing compound and the microparticle, and a thin membrane used for said method. A thiol group containing compound such as an alkylmercaptan or a protein containing thiol groups can be conveniently and accurately measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioconjugates and the delivery of bioactive agents which are preferably targeted for site-specific release in cells, tissues or organs. More particularly, this invention relates to bioconjugates which comprise a bioactive agent and an organocobalt complex. The bioactive agent is covalently bonded directly or indirectly to the cobalt atom of the organocobalt complex. The bioactive agent is released from the bioconjugate by the cleavage of the covalent bond between the bioactive agent and the cobalt atom in the organocobalt complex. The cleavage may occur as a result of normal displacement by cellular nucleophiles or enzymatic action, but is preferably caused to occur selectively as a predetermined release site by application of an external signal. The external signal may be light or photoexcitation, i.e. photolysis, or it may be ultrasound, i.e. sonolysis.

Abstract: Biologically active drug polymer derivatives, namely peptides or protein derivatives, are useful medicaments and are represented by the generic formula: RO—(CH2—CH2O)n—(CO)—NH—X—(CO)—NH—Z wherein R represents a lower alkyl group, n is an integer between 25 and 250, X when combined with adjcacent NH and CO groups represents a dipeptide residue, and Z when combined with the adjacent group represents a biologically active peptide or protein.

Abstract: Biomolecules such as enzymes can be immobilized on a surface by a process which comprises the steps of: (1) fixing a compound having a functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, a thio group and a combination thereof to a surface by plasmachemical modification of the surface to form a fixed surface; (2) binding a biomolecule to the fixed surface by reaction of the biomolecule with one or more of the functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioconjugates and the delivery of bioactive agents which are preferably targeted for site-specific release in cells, tissues or organs. More particularly, this invention relates to bioconjugates which comprise a bioactive agent and an organocobalt complex. The bioactive agent is covalently bonded directly or indirectly to the cobalt atom of the organocobalt complex. The bioactive agent is released from the bioconjugate by the cleavage of the covalent bond between the bioactive agent and the cobalt atom in the organocobalt complex. The cleavage may occur as a result of normal displacement by cellular nucleophiles or enzymatic action, but is preferably caused to occur selectively as a predetermined release site by application of an external signal. The external signal may be light or photoexcitation, i.e. photolysis, or it may be ultrasound, i.e. sonolysis.

Abstract: Luminescent microparticles and nanoparticles are provided for use either as internal standards for referencing fluorescent signals, or as markers for detecting biomolecules. Luminescence dyes are incorporated in inert form into solid materials such that they are protected from the influence of chemical and biological compounds in aqueous sample constituents. The photophysical characteristics of the dyes (spectral characteristics, luminescence quantum efficiency, luminescence fading time and polarization) remain unaffected. The surface of the nanoparticles and microparticles can be provided with reactive surfaces in order to enable covalent coupling of biochemicals or to eliminate aggregation.

Abstract: A biologically active conjugate is disclosed comprising a biopolymer and a therapeutic agent joined by a disulfide bond. The conjugate, when formulated in a pharmaceutical composition with a suitable carrier, has improved in vivo stability and activity, and can be targeted to a variety of cells, tissues and organs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to arginine deiminase modified with polyethylene glycol, to methods of treating cancer, and to methods of treating and/or inhibiting metastasis.

Abstract: The invention features a method for preparing a high-density functional slide by coating a sol-gel containing amine-group bearing silanes and a solution containing polyaldehyde groups onto an organic or inorganic substrate, respectively. The resulting slide is useful in the preparation of highly homogeneous functional-group slides and the high-density and high-efficiency bio-chip/microarray.

Abstract: An air purifying filter includes a modified enzyme immobilized on a surface of a carrier. The modified enzyme has been modified with a bonding agent that improves bonding. The surface of the carrier has not been rendered to be water repellant prior to immobilizing the modified enzyme on the surface of the carrier. The bonding agent improves bonding of the modified enzyme to the carrier.

Abstract: A compound possessing physiological activity is coupled to a styrene-glycidyl methacrylate polymer through a spacer. Compounds that may be used include receptors such as proteins, and 3-[(5-(2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-benzoquinonyl)]-2-nonyl-2-propionic a preferred spacer is an ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether derivative. Preferably, the whole surface of the styrene-glycidyl methacrylate polymer in microsphere form is covered with glycidyl methacrylate. The microsphere may be used for isolating and detecting substances such as proteins that bind to the coupled compound.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis characterized by determining the concentration of osteoclastgenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) in humor. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing equally both of monomer type and dimer type of OCIF. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing selectively dimer type of OCIF. And to provide an assay kit for determination of OCIF concentration comprising the aforementioned two antibodies recognizing different epitope of OCIF and having high affinity showing dissociation constant of less than 2×10−7 M with antigen. It is useful for a method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis or for an assay reagent for research thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of thermoprecipitating affinity polymers useful in the enhanced recovery of enzymes. The process comprises polymerising a monomer comprising a spacer and a co-monomer with a polymerisation initiator and a polymerisation accelerator at ambient temperature and pressure for a period ranging between 2 to 24 hours to obtain a polymer and then linking an inhibitor to pendant carboxyl groups of the spacers in the polymer to obtain an affinity polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid supports (e.g., glass) and polymer hydrogels (particularly polymer hydrogel arrays present on a solid support) comprising one or more reactive sites for the attachment of biomolecules, as well as biomolecules comprising one or more reactive sites for attachment to solid supports and polymer hydrogels. The invention further provides novel compositions and methods for the preparation of biomolecules, solid supports, and polymer hydrogels comprising reactive sites. The invention also provides for preparation of crosslinked solid supports, polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel arrays, wherein one or more biomolecules is attached by means of the reactive sites in a photocycloaddition reaction. Advantageously, according to the invention, crosslinking of the hydrogel and attachment of biomolecules can be done in a single step.

Abstract: Provided is a method for modifying silicon with an organic molecule, under mild conditions. If the attached molecule is bi-functional, it may be subsequently reacted with a bio-molecule, to form a covalently attached layer of bio-molecule on the silicon surface.

Abstract: A process for attaching a polyethylene glycol compound to a macromolecule to prepare a conjugate or adduct between the polyethylene glycol compound and the macromolecule is described. The process comprises the steps of (1) preparing an activated PEG or an activated PEG derivative by incorporating an acrylic ester, an acrylic thioester or an acrylamido group into the PEG or PEG derivative; (2) reacting the activated PEG or PEG derivative with a macromolecular material comprising one or more sulphydryl groups, primary amino groups and/or secondary amino groups and (3) recovering the conjugate of the PEG or PEG derivative and the macromolecular material.

Abstract: A precursor for the construction of chelated metal conjugates which demonstrate improved assay performance and utility in minimizing non-specific binding while maintaining specificity for target molecules is disclosed. The precursor has tridentate functionality towards multivalent ions such as iron and nickel and contains a diacetyl glycine group covalently linked via an amide to a molecule such as a proteinaceous molecule providing a primary amide group for amide bond formation. The precursor is preferably prepared in monomeric form by reacting nitrilotriacetic acid or a salt thereof in an aqueous medium at an alkaline pH of at least 8 with a proteinaceous molecule containing a primary amine group in the presence of a carbodiimide. The proteinaceous molecule may be bovine serum albumin or an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase or horseradish peroxidase.

Abstract: A test piece for use in biological analyses includes a plurality of different known specific binding substances disposed in predetermined positions on a substrate. The specific binding substances are disposed on a plurality of surfaces provided by the substrate and arranged in the direction of thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition and method for regulating the adhesion of cells and biomolecules to hydrophobic surfaces and hydrophobic coated surfaces. The composition is a biomolecule conjugated end-group activated polymer (EGAP). The biomolecule conjugated EGAP can be put to numerous uses including cell adhesion, cell growth, cell sorting, and other biological assays.

Abstract: A storage stable composition comprising a carrier usable for the immobilization of compounds containing an amine group, for instance biomolecules and/or affinity ligands. The carrier has been activated to exhibit a squaric acid derivative linked to the carrier and is placed in contact with an aqueous medium. A kit comprising the storage stable composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses arginine deiminase that is genetically modified for more efficient manufacturing and processing. The present invention discloses recombinant DNA molecules and vectors and other therapeutic and pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention also discloses methods for preparing modified arginine deiminase as well as methods of treating cancer and other disease states using modified arginine deiminase.

Abstract: A reagent having the general formula of General Formula I: wherein group Z comprises a spacer selected from an aliphatic chain up to about 6 carbon equivalents in length, an unbranched aliphatic chain of from about 6 to 18 carbon equivalents in length with at least one of an intermediate amide and a disulfide moiety, and a polyethylene glycol chain of from about 3 to 12 carbon equivalents in length; wherein group R is an electrophilic or nucleophilic moiety suitable for reaction of the reagent with a biologically active species; and wherein group Q is one of nothing at all, an amide, a methyl amide, a methylene, an ether, a thioether, a methyl ether, and a methyl thioether moiety. Also, a conjugate, a bioconjugate and a method of conjugating.