Abstract: For the determination of an immunologically detectable substance based on a heterogeneous immunoassay by use of a solid phase on which one of the immunologically active reaction components is bound, a reaction vessel is used as the solid phase on the inner surface of which streptavidin or avidin is bound in such an amount that 0.1 to 2.5 .mu.g are present per ml reaction volume.A suitable reaction vessel for this has optically transparent wall areas which face one another and has avidin or streptavidin coated walls which are at least partially within the inner wall region intended as a receptacle for liquid, wherein the inner space of the container intended as a receptacle for liquid and the respective streptavidin or avidin content of the coating are so matched that 0.1 to 2.5 .mu.g streptavidin or avidin are present per ml reaction volume.

Abstract: New variants of electroactive and optoactive polymers are formed from the surface chemical modification and derivization of free-standing and substrate-supported polymer films. The free-standing or substrate-supported films are chemically modified at or near their surfaces to introduce hydrophilic and/or reactive functional groups, such as carboxylic acids, hydroxyls, and amines. Surface derivatization of the modified polymer film is achieved through the specific attachment of bioactive, immunoactive, electroactive, and catalytic agents to the surface of the electroactive or optoactive polymer film. In one embodiment, a polymer selected from polyacetylene, polypyrrole, polyanilane and polythiophene is modified to contain functional groups and an indicator reagent is covalently coupled to the functional groups. When an analyte in a sample reacts with the indicator reagent, electrical conductivity of the polymer is changed and presence of the analyte is indicated by the change in electrical conductivity.

Abstract: The fluorocarbon surface of a solid or liquid support is activated with a highly fluorinated isocyanate-modified ligand or with a reactive poly(fluoroalkyl) sugar reagent containing a polyhydroxy sugar to which are attached a plurality of fluoroalkyl anchor groups, a reactive group and optionally a spacer. The activated support has application in separation of biomolecules, immobilization of biomolecules, heterogeneous diagnostic assays, and biosensors. An enzyme or other biomolecule is immobilized by contacting the activated support surface with the enzyme in the presence of a surfactant. The surfactant is preferably a neutral surfactant such as a fluoroalkyl-polyoxyethylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a reagent for the determination by hemagglutination of antibodies to bacterial toxins. According to this method erythrocytes are treated with glutaraldehyde and then with the bacterial toxins in the presence of glutaraldehyde without a wash step. The reagent thus obtained is further treated with a reagent for blocking aldehyde groups.

Abstract: To produce a solid phase coated with an immunologically active substance, a carrier material is absorptively coated with a mixture of an immunologically active substance and a compound which contains at least two functional groups which can be photoactivated and at least one moiety which interacts with the carrier material and the immunologically active substance and it is subsequently irradiated for the cross-linkage.

Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing and preserving an immunologically reactive antigen substance such as antigenic cells or non-cell bound antigens for use in solid-phase immunoassay. The antigen substance is adsorbed and crosslinked on a support and contacted with a protecting solution and containing sugar and an antiseptic substance such as NaN.sub.3. The antigen substance is preferably centrifugally contacted with the support to shorten the time for adsorption. Crosslinking is with a solution of 1.0 to 5.0% formaldehyde or 0.003 to 0.06% glutaraldehyde. The antigenic cells can be a blood component such as platelets.

Abstract: A porous shaped substrate such as a porous bead is formed from polyacrylonitrile or a copolymer thereof containing nitrile groups. The substrate has a hydrophilic surface containing amide groups constituting about 1.8 mole percent to less than about 15 mole percent of the total nitrile groups, and containing no amide or carboxyl groups. The substrate is substantially non-swellable in water and is able to resist pressures in a columnar bed of up to about 3000 psi without collapsing. In forming the amide groups, polyacrylonitrile or copolymer thereof containing nitrile groups, an alkaline catalyst such as sodium hydroxide and a nonsolvent for the substrate such as methanol are combined to form a suspension. A peroxide is added to the suspension and the suspension is heated to hydrolyze nitrile groups to amide groups. Succinylated aminoethyl groups or activated carboxyl groups can be formed on the substrate and a bioactive ligand such as p-aminobenzamidine covalently bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention includes an agglutinant complex which is useful for the investigation of the antigens present on erythrocytes, and which results from affinity couplings between nonagglutinant IgG type antibodies specific for the antigen to be identified, a protein capable of binding to at least two sites on the Fc part of antibodies and an anti-immunoglobulin antibody or its fragments.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein X is a spacer group. The compound is useful for conjugating a compound having an alcohol group or an amine group to a compound having a thiol group. The compound can be used to conjugate a biologically active group such as an antigen to a protein such as an enzyme to provide an enzyme-labeled antigen for use in enzyme-amplified immunoassay methods for analytes or metabolites in sample fluids. The compound can also be used to immobilize a material such as a protein to a solid support.

Abstract: Heterofunctional crosslinking agents are synthesized that covalently link molecules such as enzymes, cells, proteins and nucleic acids to a plastic substrate. The agents contain a central ring structure having a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain that binds to a plastic substrate and distal to the hydrophobic chain one or more hydrophilic chains terminating in a reactive group that covalently binds the molecule. Immobilized molecules are useful in diagnostic assays or bioreactors. A preferred heterofunctional crosslinking agent is succinyl-olivetol-N-hydroxysuccinimide having the structure: ##STR1## This agent is prepared by reacting succinic anhydride with 5-pentyl resorcinol and condensing carboxylic acid groups with N-hydroxysuccinimide.

Abstract: The invention provides a means for attaching a label, support or bioactive agent to a protein with an exopeptidase at a site that is remote from the active site of the protein. More specifically the invention is directed to a method for the attachment of an amino acid, amine and alcohol nucleophile to the carboxyl terminus of a protein. In one embodiment, a labeled nucleophile is attached to a protein such as an antibody. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for the attachment of a protein to an immobilization support and to a method for the attachment of a bioactive agent to a protein.

Abstract: Biomolecules such as a ligand or binder for the ligand are securely but reversibly attached to a perfluorocarbon carrier with a water soluble polymer, a perfluorocarbon anchoring group and optionally a linker group. The order of steps for carrying out the attachment can vary. For example, the biomolecule is covalently attached to the polymer followed by covalently attaching the anchoring group and attaching the resultant product to the carrier. Alternatively, the anchoring group is covalently attached to the polymer followed by attaching the resultant product to the carrier and then covalently attaching a biomolecule to the polymer. The polymer may be starch, dextran, agarose, polyethylene glycol or polyvinyl alcohol. An attached ligand or binder for the ligand is useful in affinity separations and immunoassays.

Abstract: A specific binding pair is bound to an insoluble carrier for use in determining an analyte such as in an immunoassay. The carrier is coated with a first polymer containing a protein polymer having a molecular weight of at least about 20,000 and molecules of a first member of a specific binding pair. A second polymer containing a second member of the specific binding pair is bound to the first member on the carrier by binding of the first and second members of the specific binding pair. The first polymer is preferably more hydrophobic than the second polymer. The protein polymer can be prepared by cross-linking hydrophobic protein molecules of 10,000 to 700,000 molecular weight with a bifunctional or polyfunctional compound to obtain a protein polymer of 200,000 to 20,000,000 molecular weight. The second polymer can be the second member of the specific binding pair or the second member cross-linked with a linker or the second member cross-linked to a hydrophobic protein.

Abstract: A phosphazene polymer for immobilizing biologically active substances such as enzymes is prepared that does not lower activity originally possessed by the biologically active substance and does not contain a functionality which can adsorb undesired substances. The polymer has organic radicals having a functional group capable of binding a biologically active substance and organic radicals which are non-reactive and hydrophilic. The non-reactive and hydrophilic organic radicals are preferably prepared by reacting a side chain of the polymer having a primary amino group with formaldehyde or by diazotizing the primary amino group followed by hydrolysis to form a hydroxyl group. A biologically active substance immobilized on the polymer can be used to separate a substance that has affinity for the immobilized biologically active substance.

Abstract: A modified solid carrier is used to covalently immobilize biomolecules such as proteins. The carrier is based on well-known matrix materials modified to have covalently bound functional groups of formula I ##STR1## that are suitable for covalent immobilization, where A is a spacer group; X is O, S, or NH and n is 0 or 1. The modified solid carrier is prepared by reacting ammonia with glycidyl groups of a carrier to form .alpha.-hydroxy-.beta.-amino groups, reacting these groups with 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine to form an N-triazinyl group-containing carrier, reacting this carrier with ammonia and reacting the resultant carrier with 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine.

Abstract: Specific binding methods are used for diagnostic assays and purification separations whereby the specific binding capture reagent is prepared from copolymers having highly reactive carboxy groups. These groups are extended from the polymer surface with a linking group having from 8 to 50 atoms in the chain and two or more alkylene, arylene, alkylenearylene or arylenealkylene groups. To these reactive groups is attached a biologically active substance such as a protein or oligonucleotide which then participates in the diagnostic assays or purification separation methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns unique immobilized immunoglobulin-binding protein materials which have a high binding capacity for immunoglobulins. Exemplified are preparations which have a high binding capacity for IgGl immunoglobulins. The preparations are made by covalently joining an immobilization support material to (a) an arginine-containing linker and (b) an immunoglobulin-binding protein material. The immunoglobulin-binding protein can be joined to the linker through an amide bond. Specifically disclosed is an immobilized protein A preparation. This immobilized protein A preparation has utility in the art of purifying monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Specific binding labels are described which comprise carbon black treated with dextran to which various specific binding reagents are bound by way of fluorescein isothiocyanate.

Abstract: A liposome reagent encapsulating a molecule to be targeted to a body site or used as an assay reporter has a ligand and a sulfonate-containing group on the liposome surface. Preferred ligands are antibodies or antibody fragments and preferred encapsulants are enzymes or dyes. In the most preferred reagents, the antibody and sulfonate-containing group are covalently bonded to the liposome surface through a connecting group which includes a succinimidyl group resulting from addition of the ligand or sulfonate-containing group to a maleimidyl group. The invention includes a kit of materials for performing an assay using the reagent of the invention as the tracer.

Abstract: Reactants containing amino, mercapto or hydroxy groups such as proteins, peptides, ligands, coenzymes or enzymes are immobilized on a support containing amino, mercapto or hydroxy groups by coupling the reactant to the support with a compound having the following formula (I) or (IA): ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 are the same or different and are X, R, COR, COOR, wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, COOH, CNS, N.sub.3 or CN. The support may be first reacted with the compound to produce a derivatized support which is then reacted the reactant or the reactant may be first reacted with the compound and the resultant product then reacted with the support. An electrochemical biosensor can be prepared by using a conductive support.

Abstract: Solid substrates and methods for their preparation are provided, where enhanced functionalization of solid substrates is achieved, so that higher levels of binding of a wide variety of moieties can be obtained. The surface is nitrated with a nitronium agent, where the nitro groups may be modified in a variety of ways to serve as sites for linking. The resulting solid substrates find use in therapy, diagnosis and processing.

Abstract: Detecting an immunoreactant in a liquid sample, by:mixing the liquid sample with an excess of a complementary immunoreactant capable of specifically binding to the immunoreactant to allow an immunoreaction to take place, in which the complementary immunoreactant is immobilized on insoluble carrier particles and labeled with an electrochemiluminescent substance that emits an electrochemiluminescent light by electrolytic oxidation in the presence of activated oxygen,applying an electric voltage to a pair of electrodes between which the mixture obtained above is placed, in the presence of activated oxygen to allow electrochemiluminescence to take place;measuring the emission of the electrochemiluminescent light; andcorrelating the presence of the immunoreactant with the amount of measured electrochemiluminescent light, is a highly accurate method, because the rate of change of the emission of luminescent light as a function of immunoreactant concentration in the sample is high.

Abstract: A method of high sensitivity immunoassay characterized by inclusion of processes (A), (B), (C) and (D) described below.Process (A): A process of binding of a solid carrier and a complex comprising the specific antibody or antigenic substance to be assayed in the test solution and one or more active components.Process (B): A process of dissociating said complex from the solid carrier.Process (C): A process of binding this complex to another solid carrier.Process (D): A process of assay for the complex on the solid carrier mentioned in the description of process (C) above.Permitting rapid, high sensitive immunoassay irrespective of whether the subject of assay is an antibody or an antigen, the method of the present invention is very useful for quick diagnosis of various diseases.

Abstract: An auxiliary substance such as a label, support, or bioactive agent is attached to a protein at a site that is remote from the active site of the protein by the use of exopeptidase and a nucleophile which is an amino acid, amino acid derivative, amine or alcohol. In one embodiment, the nucleophile is attached to the carboxy terminus of a protein by catalysis with exopeptidase to form an adduct and then the adduct or its combination with a linker arm is bound to the auxiliary substance. In another embodiment, the auxiliary substance or its combination with a linker arm is bound to the nucleophile to form an intermediate substance which is then coupled by catalysis with exopeptidase to the carboxy terminus of a protein.

Abstract: A method for the rapid screening of a drug targeted to the V3 hypervariable loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 or type 2 envelope glycoprotein gp 120 comprising measuring the inhibitory effect of the drug on the interaction between gp 120 (or an antigen comprising the V3 hypervariable loop of HIV 1 gp 120 or HIV 2 gp 120) and antibodies specific for the V3 hypervariable loop, and anti-HIV chemotherapy with drugs binding to the V3 hypervariable loop.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for a detectable label for use in specific binding assays. Specifically, modified .beta.-galactosidase enzyme donors (ED) and acceptors (EA) are utilized. Both ED and EA are modified to form separate ED and EA complexes by coupling each with a linking element and a binding moiety which is specific to a binding site in the analyte. The ED and EA complexes are incapable of forming active enzyme in the absence of the analyte. However, when analyte is present, ED and EA complexes which bind to a common analyte in a sample, active .beta.-galactosidase is formed.

Abstract: A process for covalently bonding biopolymer, such as protein, to an organic polymer surface coated with hydrophilic nonionic polymer having groups reactive with the biopolymer and having a cloud point in the reaction medium that is at least 5.degree. C. above the temperature at which the coated organic polymer surface is to be used, which comprises reacting biopolymer with the surface in an aqueous reaction medium, at a temperature not less than 5.degree. C. below the cloud point; but not above a temperature at which the biopolymer is deleteriously affected, and preferably not above about 100.degree. C., the product comprises a biopolymer immobilized on a hydrophilic solid surface having a nonionic polymer and a hydrophilic layer, coupled thereto via biopolymer-reactive groups of the nonionic polymer, and accordingly has low spontaneous adsorption of proteins and other biopolymers through electrostatic attraction and/or hydrophobic interaction.

Abstract: A method of detecting or determining the sequence of monomers which is a topological equivalent of the epitope which is complementary to a particular paratope of an antibody of interest, comprises the steps of: 1) synthesizing a plurality of catamer preparations; each of the catamer preparations consisting of a plurality of catamers in which the composition at one or more designated positions in each catamer is known, and the composition at the remaining positions is randomly made up from members of a defined set of monomers; and the plurality of catamer preparations comprises preparations in which the composition at the designated positions is systematically varied to contain members from a defined set of monomers; 2) contacting each of the plurality of catamer preparations with the antibody of interest; and 3) detecting or determining the presence or absence of binding between each of the plurality of catamer preparations and the given antibody to indicate a partial sequence of the mimotopes for the paratop

Abstract: Highly fluorescent latex microspheres have a diameter of less than five hundred angstroms and have more than five thousand fluorescent markers per sphere. The microspheres are prepared by reacting an acrylic latex bead with a diamine and a fluorescent amine at elevated pH. A protein such as avidin or an immunoglobulin may then be conjugated to the diamine. A single fluorescent microsphere is visible using standard fluorescent microscopy. Therefore the microspheres may be utilized not only to visualize cell surface anitgens but also DNA encoding for single genes, by means of a biotinylated DNA probe.

Abstract: A method of removing an antigenic substance from a fluid comprises(1) forming a ternary complex by the interaction of(a) the antigenic substance,(b) a first antibody which contains a kappa chain and which binds to the antigenic substance, and(c) a second antibody which binds to the kappa chain of the first antibody, said second antibody being immobilized on a solid phase carrier, and(2) separating the fluid from the solid phase carrier.

Abstract: An assay for Chlamydia includes contacting Chlamydia organisms in a liquid with a solid support having an antispecies Fe antibody immobilized thereon and an anti-Chlamydia capture antibody. After binding of Chlamydia antigen to the capture antibody and binding of the capture antibody to the antispecies antibody on the support, a tracer including a label conjugated to a signal antibody is added. After binding of the signal antibody to the antigen, the presence of Chlamydia organisms in the liquid is detected by a signal associated with the label thereby bound to the support. The invention includes a kit of materials for performing an assay according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A buffered aqueous composition is useful simultaneously as a wash solution and a dye-providing composition in specific binding assays involving enzyme-labeled specific binding reagents. The wash composition includes a dye-providing composition, a buffer and an organic solvent having a certain molecular weight and water-solubility. Another useful composition includes a particulate substrate having avidin attached thereto, and a peroxidase reducing agent. Either composition can be provided in a diagnostic test kit, and can be used to detect a specific binding ligand in assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immune reactive porous carrier material comprising a porous carrier material with immune complexes precipitated thereon, wherein the porous carrier material is treated with at least one wet-strength agent.The present invention also provides processes for the production of this immune reactive porous carrier material.

Abstract: A water-insoluble immunoreactive reagent is prepared from a polymeric particle composed of a polymer derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomer having either pendant activated 2-substituted ethylsulfonyl or vinylsulfonyl groups. The interior of the particle is substantially free of detectable tracer material. The particle is covalently attached through the pendant groups to an immunological species which is capable of participating in an immunological reaction to complex with a corresponding receptor. This immunoreactive reagent can be incorporated in elements for use in immunoassays. In addition, they can be used in various immunological methods, including agglutination, sandwich and competitive binding assays where at least one immunological species is insolubilized.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to colloidal particles having a crosslinked coating with pendent functional groups attached thereto. Magnetic and non-magnetic particles have a biodegradable, crosslinked gelatin coating to which is covalently attached pendent biological substances or molecules, especially monoclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibodies so attached are useful in a variety of positive and negative biological assays.

Abstract: A trifunctional conjugate is provided having three chemical moieties, attached through a spacer moiety. At least two of the chemical moieties are relatively small molecules, usually less than about 7,000 Daltons in size. The spacer moiety is selected to impart certain steric properties to the conjugate. In one embodiment, the binding of a macromolecular specific binding partner to one of the chemical mouths sterically inhibits the binding of a different macromolecule to another chemical moiety. In another embodiment, the binding of a first chemical moiety to a macromolecule restricts the subsequent binding of a second chemical moiety to a proximate location on the same macromolecule.

Abstract: In a solid phase homogeneous or heterogeneous assay for detection or quantitation of an analyte in a biological fluid, use of a combination of unconjugated binding reagent and carrier-conjugated binding reagent immobilized on the solid phase provides enhanced assay performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test carrier for the analysis of a sample liquid with a test layer which contains a ligand fixed to to carrier particles, which ligand reacts with a component of the sample liquid, the test layer having a three-dimensional open structure which is so porous that the sample liquid with the component can penetrate into it, the carrier particles being arranged in the layer in such a manner that the ligand, upon pentration of the sample liquid, comes into contact with the component of the sample, wherein the carrier particles consist of an inorganic material, on the surface of which reactive organic groups are covalently bound as coupling groups, and the ligand is covalently bound to the coupling groups. The present invention also provides processes for the production of such a test carrier and a method for using it.

Abstract: A process for preparing solid perfluorocarbon polymer supports permitting uniform and secure attachment of perfluorocarbon-substituted ligands or binders to carriers is provided utilizing pretreatment of the carriers with water miscible organic solvents.

Abstract: Useful materials for diagnostic tests, affinity chromatography, enzymatic reactions and immunoassays are prepared by covalently attaching reactive compounds containing reactive amino or sulfhydryl groups to polymeric particles having pendant carboxyl groups on the outer surfaces. Such reactive compounds include biologically reactive species, including enzymes, polypeptides and proteins. This attachment is carried out using specific carbamoylonium compounds, namely certain 1-(1-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl)pyridinium salts. These compounds react with the carboxyl groups on the particles to form intermediate reactive groups which then react with the amino or sulfhydryl groups to form a covalent linkage between particle and reactive compound. A kit comprises polymeric particles having carboxyl groups on the outer surfaces, and a 1-(1-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl)pyridinium salt.

Abstract: Biologically active reagents are prepared from particles of copolymers having highly reactive carboxy or equivalent groups. The reagents are prepared by covalently attaching biologically active substances, for example antibodies, to the particles, directly or indirectly through highly reactive carboxy groups on the particle surface. These reagents are used to advantage in analytical elements, methods for the detection of specific binding ligands (such as immunological species) and immunoassays, and in purification methods as affinity chromatography reagents.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the potential immunogenicity of a protein derived from recombinant DNA technology. The method involves injecting an animal with the recombinant protein and then isolating antiserum from the animal. The antiserum is depleted of antibodies to a reference protein, i.e., a plasma derived protein, by adsorbing the antiserum against the reference protein. The adsorbed antiserum is then blotted against the recombinant protein, to see if any antibodies were produced which recognize the recombinant protein, but did not recognize the plasma-derived protein during adsorption.

Abstract: An assay method is provided to quickly detect the presence of Listeria strains in samples, characterized by the use of antibodies to selectively capture the peptidoglycan and teichoic acid components of the listeriae bacterial cell wall.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed toward an immunoassay which can determine the presence of amphetamines in a sample suspected of containing amphetamine and/or methamphetamine by employing at least two conjugates, each comprised of a functionally similar label bound to an amphetamine analog and a methamphetamine analog respectively and an antibody to amphetamine and an antibody to methamphetamine wherein at least one of the antibodies is a monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A general method of assay for biological molecules using daylight fluorescent particles. The method described is applicable to assays involving immunological reagents, nucleic acids, hormones and neurotransmitters.

Abstract: Highly fluorescent latex microspheres have a diameter of less than five hundred angstroms and have more than five thousand fluorescent markers per sphere. The microspheres are prepared by reacting an acrylic latex bead with a diamine and a fluorescent amine at elevated pH to attach a spacer arm and a marker, respectively, to the bead by transacylation of ester terminations on the surface of the bead. A protein such as avidin or an immunoglobulin may then be conjugated to the spacer arm. A single fluorescent microsphere is visible using standard fluorescent microscopy. Therefore the microspheres may be utilitzed not only to visualize cell surface antigens but also DNA encoding for single genes, by means of a biotinylated DNA probe.

Abstract: An element for assaying a rheumatoid factor quantitatively in biosamples, comprising a polyalkyl methacrylate solid carrier and serum albumin immobilized thereon, the serum albumin being immunologically bound with anti-albumin rabbit IgG, and a method of assaying a rheumatoid factor quantitatively by immunoglobulin class in which the element is reacted with the biosample, then the element-bound rheumatoid factor is reacted with enzyme-labeled anti-human IgG, enzyme-labeled anti-human IgM or enzyme-labeled anti-human IgA, and then the amount of the marker enzyme is determined.

Abstract: A flow cytometry method for reproducibly detecting and counting a lymphocyte population of interest in a leukocyte suspension or whole blood sample in which the red cells are subsequently lysed. The suspension (or sample) is combined with a reagent comprising a primary antibody, either native, carrying an attached enzyme or biotin or other label, and a fixative reagent, in either order. Where the enzyme is not attached, an enzyme is coupled specifically to the primary antibody. The fixed suspension is reacted with a color-producing enzyme-cytochemical reagent. The suspension, now including stained and unstained fixed cells, is passed through a flow cytometer and the cells are characterized and counted on the basis of their light-scattering and light-absorbing properties.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a predetermined reactant in a fluid suspected of containing the same which comprises a pyroelectric film having a first and a second surface, a first electrode in contact with a portion of the first surface of said pyroelectric film, a second electrode in contact with a portion of the first surface of said pyroelectric film, said first and said second electrodes being proximate to but electrically insulated from each other, an infra-red transparent third electrode having a first and second surface, said first surface being in contact with the second surface of said film, methods of making such a device and methods of utilizing same.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the detection of molecules in a liquid medium involving the trapping of solid support conjugates. The reactants of the present invention are drawn upward through the device by capillary action against the force of gravity.