Abstract: A support matrix generally useful for the immobilization of biologically active proteins is made by coating with a polymeric alcohol a core support of titania or a carbonaceous pyropolymer deposited on a high surface area refractory inorganic oxide, cross-linking the alcohol, and converting a portion of the hydroxyl moieties to sulfonate esters. Such supports covalently bind enzymes and antibodies via a strong carbon-nitrogen single bond to give, for example, an immobilized antibody system extremely resistant to leaching of the antibody, the cross-linked alcohol, or of metals from the core support.

Abstract: A method is described for the detection of halodeoxyuridines taken up by cells during DNA synthesis by the use of monoclonal antibodies. The described method also allows the simultaneous detection of cell surface receptors.

Abstract: An assay technique for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample comprising (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a pre-formed surface with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, said thin film incorporating a fluorescent compound whose fluorescent properties show a dependence upon it's molecular environment and said surface being optically active with respect to radiation over a predetermined band of wavelengths (b) contacting the coated surface with the sample and (c) measuring the change in fluorescent properties of said fluorescent compound before and after binding of said species. The preformed surface is preferably a diffraction grating.

Abstract: A carrier material usable as such in chromatographic separations or as a starting material which, upon linkage to it of compounds containing ionic groups, ligands or bio-active materials can be used as ion exchanger, as a clinical selective adsorbent, as a medium in affinity chromatography or in enzymatic reactions and consists of a core material obtained by addition polymerization of monomers of which at least 50 mole % consists of (meth)acrylic acid or an ester forming equivalent thereof and a hydrophilic coating material, which is covalently bonded to the core by complete or partial conversion of the carboxyl function with a compound containing at least three carbon atoms and an epoxy group, the epoxy groups that are still present having been converted by etherification and/or hydrolysis to form an ester of a compound containing a hydroxyl group or an oligomer thereof having a molecular weight not higher than 1000, as well as a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: For the determination of a reaction partner of an immunological reaction according to the principle of immunoassay, the reaction partner to be determined is brought into contact with a marked specific receptor R.sub.1 and at least 1 unmarked receptor R.sub.2, one of the unmarked receptors R.sub.2 being bonded on a solid phase by a binding-capable substance R.sub.3. In order to determine the sample blank value, the unmarked receptor R.sub.2, which is bonded by the receptor fixed on the solid phase, is then replaced by another unmarked receptor R'.sub.2 which does not react with the reaction partner of R.sub.2 to be determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for the preparation of immunoadsorption matrices having IgG molecules adsorbed thereto in a preferred configuration, i.e., adsorbed to the matrix by their (Fc) rather than F(ab) portions. IgG molecules, are selected such that the F(ab) portion of the IgG fraction adsorbed has a more acidic or basic net isoelectric point or pI range than the F(c) end of the molecule, depending on the characteristics of the adsorption surface. For negatively charged surfaces, IgG molecules having relatively alkaline F(c) portions are selected. For positively charged surfaces, IgG with relatively acidic F(c) portions are selected. Additional selection criteria include pI fractionation to provide fractions having well defined pI characteristics as defined by "non-overlap" or "pI range" of F(c) and F(ab) portions pI's. Methods disclosed are particularly well suited to the preparation of colloidal gold immunostains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid immunoagglutination method for direct determination of the presence of HIV in body fluids to detect early injectio by HIV. The method employs polyclonal anti-HIV 1gG purified from the sera of known HIV injected individuals and absorbed onto carboxylate modified latex beads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specific antibody against heart muscle light chains (HMLC) with a cross-reactivity against skeletal muscle light chains (SMLC) of less than 5%. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of this specific antibody, wherein a mammal is immunized with HMLC I and/or HMLC II and the crude serum is recovered and subjected to an immunosorptive purification on an SMLC immune adsorbent based on silicate. Furthermore, the present invention provides a reagent for the determination of HMLC which contains antibodies against HMLC according to the present invention.

Abstract: A process for the detection of antibodies to HTLV III/LAV comprising:(A) mixing an unknown serum sample with a crude HTLV III/LAV viral antigen selected from the group consisting of(1) an antigen comprising P24 core protein and Penv protein;(2) a P24 antigen and(3) a Penv antigen,(B) incubating the resultant mixture from step (A);(C) contacting the mixture of step (B) with a solid substrate coated with antibody to HTLV III/LAV;(D) incubating the mass from step (C);(E) washing the mass from step (D);(F) contacting the mass from step (E) with a labeled antibody to HTLV III/LAV;(G) incubating the mass from step (F);(H) washing the mass from step (G);(I) assaying the label in the mass from step (H);(J) as a negative control, mixing a serum sample known to be negative to HTLV III/LAV antibody with a diluent;(K) subjecting the mass from step (J) to steps (B) to (I);(L) as a positive control, mixing a predetermined amount of the crude HTLV III/LAV viral antigen and the diluent;(M) subjecting the mass from step (L) t

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions which are capable of selectively binding a biologically active protein, retaining its activity. Such compositions have essentially three parts, linked together: a water-insoluble carrier, an antibody bound by the carrier and being against the Fc region of an immunoglobulin and an antibody bound thereto which is specific towards the protein which is to be bound to this composition. Proteins of choice are enzymes and isoenzymes such as carboxypeptidas A or isoenzyme 5 of porcine lactate dehydrogenase. Preferably the antibody bound to the carrier is a polyclonal anti-mouse antibody and the antibody bound thereto is a monoclonal mouse antibody. Based on such compositions, there is provided an assay for the quantitative determination of such proteins.

Abstract: A diffraction immunoassay method in which a diffraction grating design of non-light disturbing primary binding reagent on an insoluble surface is conjugated with analyte in a sample. If the primary binding reagent-analyte conjugate is light disturbing, a diffraction grating is formed. If the primary binding reagent-analyte conjugate is non-light disturbing, the analyte is further conjugated with a secondary binding reagent which is labeled with a light disturbing material to form a diffraction grating. Light from a narrow band light source is then applied to the surface, and the intensity of beams of diffracted light formed by the diffraction grating is determined. The diffraction immunoassay plate for the method comprises a smooth insoluble surface having on the surface thereof, a diffraction grating design of lines of the primary binding reagent.

Abstract: A specific hybridoma cell line produces monoclonal antibodies which are effective in detecting carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA). The specific hydribome line and monoclonal antibodes are designated as T84.66-A3.1-H11. The monoclonal antibodies are preferably applied to tissues and fluids to detect the degree of binding of such monoclonal antibodies to such carcinoembryonic antigens.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a clinical assay, both including the use of a reaction capsule having a hydrophobic membrane which may be repeatedly wetted and rendered hydrophobic. A pressure differential across the membrane causes liquid flow therethrough to be initiated and the hydrophobic state is then achieved by flowing gas through the membrane. The system includes a turntable supporting a plurality of reaction capsules and eccentric means for agitating the turntable and capsules. The turntable is rotated to position the capsules at various processing stations, including sample introduction, reagent introduction, wash, substrate introduction and read stations. A single cylinder two-inlet valve may be used, one inlet connected to liquid and a second inlet connected to a gas source, to provide both liquid and gas flow through the membrane.

Abstract: Novel magnetically responsive hydrophilic protein or polypeptide microspheres prepared by dispersing an aqueous solution or dispersion of protein or polypeptide and particulate magnetically responsive material in an organic solvent solution of a high molecular weight polymer to form a stabilized dispersion of microspheres and cross-linking said microspheres with a polyfunctional cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Anti-NANBH (anti-non-A, non-B hepatitis) antibody comprises IgM isolated from sera of monkeys artificially infected with extracts of feces from patients known to be suffering from epidemic NANB hepatitis. A process for isolating an antibody of this type is provided. A reagent for detecting epidemic NANB hepatitis comprises the anti-NANBH IgM fixed to a solid support. The reagent is useful for diagnosing epidemic NANB viral hepatitis by forming an immunological complex between the anti-NANBH IgM and antigen in a fecal extract from a patient being diagnosed, and then incubating the immunological complex with enzyme-labeled IgG from serum of a human convalescing from epidemic NANBH. The complex is detected by developing the enzyme.

Abstract: T. Cruzi polypeptide antigens that react with serum from chagasic individuals and does not cross-react with serum from uninfected individuals or individuals infected with related parasites such as Leishmania is described. The DNA from T. Cruzi culture trypomastigotes and epimastigotes coding for antigenic material having a molecular weight of 70 kd is identified, sequenced, and inserted into a cloning vector, which, in turn, is inserted into a host cell line. The expressed polypeptide is immunologically reactive with sera from Chagas' disease infect patients. The cloned gene for the 70 kd polypeptide is expressed and purified and a diagnostic test for Chagas' disease comprising the synthesized polypeptide is described.

Abstract: A device useful for the determination of a ligand in an aqueous liquid comprises a water-insoluble substrate. Immobilized in at least one location on that substrate is a biotinylated receptor for the ligand. This receptor is in dried form and immobilized with one or more dried water-soluble acrylamide homo- or copolymer binder materials. When the immobilized receptor is contacted with an aqueous sample, the binder material is dissolved and the receptor is released for reaction with the ligand. The resulting reaction product is determined in a suitable manner. The device can be included in a kit having other components useful for ligand determination. The device and method of its use are particularly useful for the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as an early indicator of pregnancy.

Abstract: A solid-phase immunoassay is provided for determination of members of an immunological pair such as antigen and/or antibody of a single binding pair in human physiological fluid, wherein a single immunoassay enables simultaneous detection of antigen and/or antibody of a single binding pair in a test sample which may have circulating antigen and/or antibody. The immunoassay is characterized by the addition of an amount of antigen or "spike" of the binding pair to the test sample prior to incubation of the test sample in the presence of a solid-phase absorbed antibody of the binding pair. The test sample preferably also is subjected to a lysing reagent prior to the incubation for uniformly dispensing antigens which may be present in the test sample.

Abstract: An immunochemical assay, particularly an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed to detect in a sample of human body fluid the presence of antibodies against neuropeptides or drugs. The assay makes it possible to correlate and diagnose psychobiological disorders related to the alteration in the normal level of neuropeptides or their receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed are an analytical element for determining a specific component A in a test sample, based on the specific reaction between said specific component A and a substance B capable of binding specifically to said specific component A, by the use of a labelled material L comprising a label capable of providing a signal and said specific component A or comprising a label capable of providing a signal and a substance C capable of binding specifically to said specific component A, characterized in that said element has a porous reaction layer formed by the use of a mixture containing (a) a carrier having said substance B immobilized thereon and (b) a carrier having an absorbing substance D capable of binding specifically to said labelled material L which has not bound to said substance B or to said specific compound A, to thereby modulate said signal, and an analytical method employing the same.

Abstract: Reagents qualitatively and quantitatively measure ligands such as antigens and haptens in biological fluids. The reagents include at least ten dye molecules or at lead one dye polymer having at least ten dye monomers per polymer bound to an antibody through an isothiocyanate group on the dye.

Abstract: A method for determining the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in the total hemoglobin of a blood sample includes binding of both glycosylated and nonglycosylated hemoglobin competitively to a nonspecific binder for hemoglobin affixed to a dipstick and reacting the glycosylated hemoglobin with a dihydroxyboryl reagent conjugated to a fluorescent dye. When the binding and reacting steps are complete, the dipstick is washed and its color is measured by absorption of incident light having a wavelength within the absorption range of hemoglobin as an indication of total hemoglobin in the sample. Incident light having a wavelength within the absorption range of the dye is then applied to the dipstick and fluorescence from the dipstick is measured as an indication of glycosylated hemoglobin. The measurements may be made with a reflectometer capable of computing the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in the sample from the color and fluorescence measurements.

Abstract: There are provided magnetic and non-magnetic agarose and agar polyaldehyde beads with diameters ranging from 40 microns up to 1 cm, and processes for the synthesis of such beads. The polyaldehyde compounds e.g. polyacrolein, polymethacrolein or polyglutaraldehyde, were used as microspheres or as powders. The agarose-polyaldehyde beads are capable of covalently binding in a single step, through their aldehyde groups, compounds containing primary amino groups or thiol groups, such as proteins, antibodies, enzymes and drugs. The beads are useful for various biological applications e.g. affinity chromatography, hemoperfusion, ion exchange resins, cell labeling, diagnostic purposes and cell separation.

Abstract: Antibody coated gold sol particles and antibody coated solid phase particles dispersed in an aqueous system react immunologically as a function of the presence of an analyte in a sample to be analyzed to produce a collectible, solid phase, gold-containing composite. The composite is collected on a filter or at the bottom of a test tube by centrifugation or gravitation and the analyte in the sample is determined or detected by direct visual examination of the collected solid phase composite which has a pink or red or purplish coloration as a result of the gold contained thereby. The materials required for conducting the assay comprise coated gold particles, coated solid phase particles and a collector element such as a filter. The collected, solid phase, metal-containing composite, which may be directly visually examined to determine or detect the gold therein and thus the analyte in the sample, is stable and remains available for confirmation of test results at a later time.

Abstract: An immunoassay incubation device is employed for detecting the presence of specific analytes in solid and semisolid compositions using solid phase immunoassay methods. Analysis of such compositions by solid phase immunoassay first requires that soluble or particulate analytes be extracted from the sample composition. A representative example of such composition is fecal material. The immunoassay incubation device includes a vessel for homogenizing the sample composition. The device also includes a solid phase assay member immunologically sensitized for detecting particular analytes. After the sample composition is homogenized, the assay member is incubated in an incubation chamber which is immersed into the homogenate within the homogenization vessel. The incubation chamber includes a screen which screens out unextracted components from the homogenate while passing extracted components.

Abstract: A clinical diagnostic method capable of rapidly detecting the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in infected humans is taught. The method allows a proper course of therapy to be chosen within one day of presentation of the patient.

Abstract: A membrane structure is disclosed having controlled capillarity useful in detecting cells in a solution by promoting effective contacting between cells and the membrane surface bearing affinity for selected cell sites. Also disclosed is a mtehod of using such membrane structures to detect particles in solution. One embodiment of the invention is an improved blood-typing device and method. The device may be attached to a blood bag, clamp, stick or the like, to provide a permanent visual record of blood type.

Abstract: This invention provides a means for determining the concentration of any of a wide range of antibody or antigen molecules with a high degree of specificity, accuracy and sensitivity. Antigen or antibody concentration is determined by effecting an agglutination reaction in a liquid medium and determining the cluster size distribution of agglutinated particles by optical pulse particle size analysis. The measured cluster size distribution then is compared with a standard quantitative relationship between the cluster size distribution and concentration of the antigen or antibody being tested. By this means one may specifically ascertain the absolute concentration of the antigen or antibody in question in the sample being analyzed. In addition to detecting antigen or antibody molecules, the process of this invention can be used to determine the concentration of any substance capable of specifically promoting or inhibiting an agglutination reaction such as viruses, white blood cells or the like.

Abstract: A detectable molecule of the formulaA.sup.3 --(--X--R.sup.1 --E--Det.sup.b).sub.mwhere A.sup.3 is A.sup.2 or a polymer, where A.sup.3 has at least one modifiable reactive group selected from the group consisting of amino, hydroxy, cis OH, halides, aryl, imidazoyl, carbonyl, carboxy, thiol or a residue comprising an activated carbon; --X-- is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## --R.sup.1 -- is ##STR2## or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 branched or unbranched alkyl or aralkyl, which may be substituted by --OH; --Y-- is a direct bond to --E--, or --Y-- is --E--R.sup.2 -- where R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 branched or unbranched alkyl; Z.sub.a is chlorine, bromine or iodine; E is O, NH or an acyclic divalent sulfur atom; Det.sup.b is a chemical moiety capable of being detected, preferably comprising biotin or a metal chelator of the formula: ##STR3## or the 4-hydroxy or acyloxy derivatives thereof, where R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or CH.sub.

Abstract: A method for detecting a first member of a specific binding pair in a sample, the first member being capable of forming a complex with a second member of the specific binding pair, includes immobilizing the second member on a surface of a piezoelectric oscillator, determining a first vibrational frequency of the oscillator on which the second member has been immobilized, contacting the surface of the oscillator on which the second member has been immobilized with the sample under conditions permitting formation of the complex, and with a particle under conditions permitting binding of the particle with the first member, mass coupling the bound particle with the oscillator, and determining a second vibrational frequency of the oscillator with which the particle has been mass coupled, the difference between the first vibrational frequency and the second vibrational frequency providing a measure of the quantity of the first member in the sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the diagnostic evaluation of clinical parameters by direct collection of biological materials consisting of a solid support, of suited materials, shape and size, carrying fixed on its surface a pre-established quantity of an antibody, in the case that the substance to be assessed is an antigen, and of an antigen in the case that the substance to be determined is an antibody, as well as the related diagnostic method.The biological material, collected as above specified, is subsequently qualitatively or quantitatively analyzed by conventional techniques.

Abstract: A polyamide dyed with a reactive dye capable of absorbing incident light of the excitation waveband of a fluorophore or light of the emission waveband of the polyamide is provided for use in assays in which the presence or quantity of an analyte is being detected by fluorescence as a result of excitation of a fluorescent material at an excitation waveband of light and in which the excitation waveband impinges upon the polyamide.

Abstract: A method for reducing false positives and to assay background noise in solid phase immunoassays utilizes a matrix coated on a solid support, which matrix contains an effective amount of a noise reduction component and an effective amount of noise balancing component. Optimization of the matrix composition is obtained by measuring parameters for its effectiveness which include sensitivity ratio, noise balance ratio, and signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A method of detecting biological substances having affinity properties by passing the substance to be detected in a flow over a solid surface to which surface a second substance, to which the substance to be detected shows affinity, is attached, so that the two substances form a complex and give enrichment of the substance to be detected. The enrichment is obtained when the fluid volume passing the active surface is many times larger than the volume in contact with the active surface. A means for detecting biological substances consisting of a flow of a fluid sample of the substance to be detected generated via a pump over a solid surface to which another substance, to which the first substance to be detected shows affinity, is attached, so that a complex is formed of the two substances and gives enrichment of the substance to be detected.

Abstract: An immobilized hapten reagent for use in a specific binding assay for the determination of a hapten or binding analog thereof in a liquid test sample and methods for preparing and using the immobilized hapten reagent. The immobilized hapten reagent comprises a hapten moiety covalently linked substantially only to the external surface of a polyacrylamide gel particle. The immobilized hapten reagent is prepared by forming a reaction mixture comprising the hapten moiety and the carrier material in a nonswelling solvent wherein the gel particle is substantially impervious to the hapten moiety and wherein an analytically insignificant amount of the hapten moiety is nonspecifically bound to the gel particle. The immobilized hapten reagent is characterized by being substantially stable in aqueous solutions and exhibits an insignificant amount of leakage of the hapten moiety into a liquid test medium.

Abstract: Process for the production of an immune-reactive, porous carrier material for heterogeneous immunological analysis by application to a carrier material of a solution of a receptor and of a component precipitating this immunologically, incubation of the carrier material impregnated with these solutions for the immune precipitation, optional washing and subsequent drying of the impregnated carrier material, wherein the concentrations of the receptor and of the component are so chosen that, in the case of the impregnation, their molar ratio is greater than the ratio defined by the Heidelberger maximum. Also a carrier material for heterogeneous, immunological analysis, wherein it contains a receptor and an immunologically precipitating component in a molar ratio which is greater than the ratio defined by the Heidelbeger maximum.

Abstract: Bone marrow or blood containing tumor cells can be freed from the tumor cells by bringing it into contact with an water-insoluble antitumor monoclonal antibody which is prepared according to the enzyme insolubilizing method and thereby combining the tumor cells with the insolublized antibody and destroying the tumor cells along with human serum complement on the insolublized antibody. The thus obtain bone marrow or blood free from tumor cells is used favorably in the autologous-bone-marrow transplantation method for treatment of tumor.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for detecting lupus nephritis in patients suffering from SLE. Competitive or non-competitive assays may be employed, where monoconal antibodies may be used to compete with antiserum for a nucleic acid ligand or may be used for the detection of antiidiotype antibodies as diagnostic of the presence or absence of lupus nephritis.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an improved method for the in-vitro detection and identification of viral associated immunoreactants in biological fluids including cell cultures. The improvement comprises admixing the fluid with solid, porous carrier particles bearing surface adsorbed, known immunological homolog/surfactant complexes. An agglutination reaction indicates the presence of immunoreactant corresponding to the surface adsorbed homolog.

Abstract: Recovery of antigen from cells containing an intracellular parasite, in particular a virus, by extracting the antigen from the cells with a hypertonic salt solution. CMV antigen extracted in this manner may be supported on particles and used in an agglutination assay for CMV antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting either antibody or antigen in the serum of horses infected with equine infectious anemia using a competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay technique and reagents useful in such an assay. The competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay incorporates a purified virus antigen conjugate and a monoclonal antibody specific for the virus antigen as both the reacting and competing components. Alternatively, the competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay incorporates a purified virus antigen and a monoclonal antibody conjugate specific for the viral antigen as both reacting and competing components. This invention also relates to detecting antigen and antibody found in other retrovirus infections such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in humans.

Abstract: A highly sensitive and specific monoclonal-immuno-radiometric assay (M-IRMA) for hCG, using monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed against a 37-amino acid synthetic polypeptide analogous to the carboxyl terminus (CTP) of beta-hCG. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a method is described for the determination of human chorionic gonadotrThe present invention was made utilizing funds of the United States Government. The U.S. government is therefore granted a royalty-free, non-exclusive, world wide, paid-up license in this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a reagent paper for immunological analysis, wherein a fiber fleece of a cellulose/synthetic fiber mixture, in which the weight ratio of cellulose/synthetic fiber is 1 to 90/99 to 10, is activated by treatment with periodate, the so activated fiber fleece is loaded with an acid-treated protein and non-bound protein is removed.The present invention also provides a reagent paper for immunological analysis, wherein it comprises a fiber fleece of a cellulose/synthetic fiber mixture, in which the weight ratio of cellulose/synthetic fiber is from 1 to 90/99 to 10.Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with the use of a fiber fleece of a cellulose/synthetic fiber mixture, wherein the weight ratio of cellulose/synthetic fiber is 90 to 1/10 to 99, as reagent carrier for heterogeneous immunological analysis.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay support matrix is prepared by coating a support matrix with a polymer resistant to nonspecific protein binding and immobilizing the desired biologically active agent on the polymer surface.

Abstract: Methods and kits for performing a ligand/anti-ligand assay are described. The ligand/anti-ligand assay comprises: (1) simultaneously carrying out the extraction of a ligand from a sample of cells or cells and reaction of the ligand with at least two anti-ligands therefor to form a detectable reaction product, and (2) detecting the reaction product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the occurrence of a binding or complex-forming reaction between specific substances by utilizing the binding reaction to complete an electrical circuit, and then measuring a change in the electrical state of this circuit. In a preferred embodiment, a layer of antigen is coated onto a non-conductive base between a pair of electrically conductive layers superposed on the base. Antibodies which react with the foregoing antigen are treated so that they become bound to fine electrically conductive, metallic particles. The electrically conductive particles having antibody bound thereto are then added to the antigen layer deposited on the base and allowed to react therewith. Electrically conductive particles are thereby bound to the base due to the binding reaction between the antigen and antibody to thereby form aggregates of electrically conductive particles which bridge the electrically conductive layers and complete the circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and to methods, diagnostic reagents and kits embodying such devices for use in ligand/anti-ligand assays and the qualitative or semi-quantitative detection of a substance of interest thereby through use of light or photon detecting systems such as reflectometers, colorimeters, fluorimeters and the human eye. Such devices, methods and kits have applications in the biologic research and medical fileds for assaying drugs, hormones, peptides, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, antibodies, haptens, antibiotics, viri, infectious agents, tumor markers and the like, in the laboratory, the physicians' office, the veterinarian's office and the home.

Abstract: A serum antibody assay for assaying a serum sample is described which has diagnostic value for determining the presence of a specific serum antibody which may be indicative of an infection by a specific microorganism. The serum antibody assay has an enhanced diagnostic value because it can eliminate interference by selected cross-reactive antibodies which are directed against one or more other microorganisms to which the assay is not directed and which may be present in the serum sample with a clinically significant frequency. The serum antibody assay uses an immunologically purified fraction of antigenic material derived from the specific microorganism to which assay is directed. The immunologically purified fraction of antigenic material includes immunologically distinguishable components of the antigenic material.

Abstract: The activity of cells is assayed by mixing the cells capable of endocytosis with microbeads 0.03-20 .mu.m. in diameter containing a chemiluminecent substance and measuring the intensity of the luminescence generated by the action of highly reactive oxygen with the microbeads taken inside the cells.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The analyte is a member of a specific binding pair (sbp) consisting of ligand and complementary receptor. The method comprises combining in an aqueous medium (1) said sample, (2) a first reagent comprising a non-dispersed surface to which is bound an sbp member that becomes bound to the surface in relation to the amount of analyte in the sample. The volume of the aqueous medium containing the above reagents is sufficiently large to allow complete immersion of the first reagent therein and determination of the analyte but not so large to result in substantial interference in the determination upon addition of a second reagent reactive with the conjugate of enzyme and sbp member and capable of generating a signal. The second reagent is present in a medium of sufficient volume to substantially increase the volume of the liquid medium and reduce interference in the determination.