Abstract: The present invention provides internally calibrated competitive assays for use on a solid support. Additionally, the invention provides a method of using such assays.

Abstract: Combinations, called matrices with memories, of matrix materials that are encoded with an optically readable code are provided. The matrix materials are those that are used in as supports in solid phase chemical and biochemical syntheses, immunoassays and hybridization reactions. The matrix materials may additionally include fluophors or other luminescent moieties to produce luminescing matrices with memories. The memories include electronic and optical storage media and also include optical memories, such as bar codes and other machine-readable codes. By virtue of this combination, molecules and biological particles, such as phage and viral particles and cells, that are in proximity or in physical contact with the matrix combination can be labeled by programming the memory with identifying information and can be identified by retrieving the stored information. Combinations of matrix materials, memories, and linked molecules and biological materials are also provided.

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 (FGAP). The biomolecule conjugated EGAP can be put to numerous uses including cell adhesion, cell growth, cell sorting, and other biological assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a viscometric method of detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a solution. The method utilizes a dispersion of a conjugate and a receptor. The conjugate functions as an analog of the analyte, and the receptor can interact with both the analyte and the conjugate to change the viscosity of the dispersion. The test solution is introduced into an aliquot of the dispersion. Equivalent spots of the dispersion and the aliquot containing the analyte within the dispersion are then placed on a substrate such that the spots can spread upon the substrate. The presence of analyte in the test solution is detected by noting a change in the viscosity of the dispersion through a comparison of the spots. To facilitate the method, the invention provides a test kit comprising a conjugate comprising an analog of the analyte, a receptor binding the analog and the analyte, and a substrate upon which spots of liquid can spread.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfaces coated with streptavidin and avidin for use in immunoassays, wherein the surfaces comprise a layer of streptavidin and avidin which are bonded on a surface of a solid supporting material through a biotinylated adhering agent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the rapid diagnosis of disorders characterized by an ischemic event, such as stroke, transient ischemic attack, head trauma, myocardial infarction or other insults resulting in interrupted cranial blood flow. The method involves detection of the presence of the gamma isoform of protein kinase C (PKCg) in peripheral blood, which signals damage to central nervous system tissue and at least transient breakdown of the blood brain barrier. The assay may be performed, e.g., by emergency medical personnel, in a time frame that allows treatment of the patient before permanent damage to the central nervous system occurs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of carrying out an immunoassay in a multiphase system. A sample containing an analyte is brought into contact with a receptor A and a tracer. The analyte can either form a complex with the tracer, or counteract the formation of a complex of receptor A and tracer by competing with the tracer for binding to receptor A, or counteract the formation of a complex of receptor A and tracer by competing with receptor A. Receptor B is added and the signal is determined. In this method, receptor A and receptor B are suitably immobilized, ensuring that the tracer either cannot enter into any binding involving the simultaneous participation of receptors A and B or can enter into such a binding to only such a slight extent that it is nevertheless possible to detect and differentiate differing analyte concentrations.

Abstract: An indirect agglutination immunoassay includes the steps of providing, in a container, an immunoassay system comprising a test sample containing a desired analyte, and a reagent composed of magnetic particles or magnetic-material containing particles containing iron therein, wherein the magnetic particles or magnetic-material containing particles have been sensitized to allow specific binding to the desired analyte, and have a particle size in the range of 1 to 5 &mgr;m, with the content of the iron being in the range of 8 to 20 wt. %, precipitating the magnetic particles or magnetic-material containing particles by the application of magnetic force, allowing the container to stand at an inclination, and detecting the presence or absence of an immune reaction from the absence or presence of slippage observed of the precipitated magnetic particles or magnetic-material containing particles on the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A magnetic focusing immunosensor for the detection of pathogens comprising a laser, an exciting fiber and a collecting fiber, a fiber optic magnetic probe in communication with the collecting and exciting fibers and means for detecting, collecting and measuring fluorescent signals in communication with the collecting fiber. The probe and the collecting and exciting fibers are configured to focus paramagnetic microspheres attached to antigen/antibody/optically labeled complexes in a predetermined pattern in the field of view of the collecting fiber while blocking background interference.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises treating a medium suspected of containing an analyte under conditions such that the analyte, if present, causes a photosensitizer and a chemiluminescent compound to come into close proximity. The photosensitizer generates singlet oxygen and activates the chemiluminescent compound when it is in close proximity. The activated chemiluminescent compound subsequently produces light. The amount of light produced is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. Preferably, at least one of the photosensitizer and chemiluminescent compound is associated with a surface which is usually a suspendible particle, and a specific binding pair member is bound thereto. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microparticle light scattering agglutination assay is disclosed. The assay comprises a mixture of particles having strong light scattering properties with particles having weak light scattering properties. The particles having strong light scattering properties carry a binding partner of high reactivity with the analyte. The particles having weak light scattering properties carry a binding partner of low reactivity with the analyte. Reagents useful in the assay are also disclosed.

Abstract: A test device for detecting or determining an analyte in a test solution includes an absorbent material having separate contact, competitive binding, and measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned for contact with and uptake of the test solution. The competitive binding portion has a binding material for the analyte non-diffusively bound thereto. The measurement portion has a receptor for the analyte and marker-encapsulating liposomes non-diffusively bound thereto. In a method for using the test device, a solution containing the analyte and the analyte-liposome conjugate is allowed to traverse the absorbent material from the contact portion through the competitive binding portion and on through the measurement portion of the absorbent material. The amount of marker in the measurement portion of the absorbent material, following traversal by the test solution, is then determined as a measure of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Formed constituents of a quiescent anticoagulated whole blood sample are optically or visually analyzed in a sample chamber which has a varying through plane thickness due to convergent opposing sample chamber walls. At least one of the convergent walls of the chamber is transparent so that the blood sample constituents can be observed. The chamber's varying thickness produces a first lesser thickness region in the chamber wherein a quiescent monolayer of red blood cells in the sample will reside after the sample is introduced into and fills the chamber. Larger formed constituents such as white blood cells in the sample are unable to enter the aforesaid lesser thickness region of the chamber. The red cells which reside in the greater thickness regions will agglomerate to form rouleaux and lacunea. The exact thickness of the chamber at any particular location in the chamber can be predetermined, or can be determined in situ as the sample is being analyzed.

Abstract: An analytical test device useful for example in pregnancy testing, comprises a hollow casing (500) constructed of moisture-impervious solid material, such as plastics materials, containing a dry porous carrier (510) which communicates indirectly with the exterior of the casing via a bibulous sample receiving member (506) which protrudes from the casing such that a liquid test sample can be applied to the receiving member and permeate therefrom to the porous carrier, the carrier containing in a first zone a labelled specific binding reagent is freely mobile within the porous carrier when in the moist state, and in a second zone spatially distinct from the first zone unlabelled specific binding reagent for the same analyte which unlabelled reagent is permanently immobilized on the carrier material and is therefore not mobile in the moist state, the two zones being arranged such that liquid sample applied to the porous carrier can permeate via the first zone into the second zone, and the device incorporating mea

Abstract: A biological fluid collection container comprising a cup member, a lid assembly removably mounted to the cup member comprising a housing with a downwardly extending cylindrical skirt, a luer lock with a throughgoing bore extending from one side of the lid housing. A hollow tube extends from the other side of the lid housing adjacent the luer lock and is axially aligned with the throughgoing bore of the luer lock. The hollow tube is provided with a plurality of throughgoing holes leading into its lumen along its surface to provide for a sampling along various liquid level layers of the biological fluid specimen collected in the cup member so that when the biological fluid specimen is removed from the cup member a representative sampling is obtained.

Abstract: The invention involves methods for determining analytes, and reagents for use in these methods. The methods and reagents use one or both of a polyvinyl/pyrolidone with a molecular weight of at least 360,000, and a polyethylene glycol with molecular weight of at least 40,000. The assays are carried out nephelometrically, or turbidometrically. The reagents include at least one antibody which binds the analyte. The hook effect is reduced or avoided in the practice of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is thus related to a biospecific multiparameter assay employing single molecule detection. In particular, this invention is related to a new method for determination of several different biomolecules simultaneously in the same reaction solution. The method uses a fluorescent label for labelling biospecific primary probes and a combination of other labels, bound to secondary probes. Complexes are formed comprising primary probes, analyte molecules and secondary probes in the biospecific reaction. These single molecule complexes are counted selectively while discriminating the signals from other fluorescent molecules using confocal fluorometry or two-photon excitation fluorometry including an auto- and cross-correlator for the signals obtained from said fluorescent labels.

Abstract: An analytical test device useful for example in pregnancy testing, comprises a hollow casing (500) constructed of moisture-impervious solid material, such as plastics materials, containing a dry porous carrier (510) which communicates indirectly with the exterior of the casing via a bibulous sample receiving member (506) which protrudes from the casing such that a liquid test sample can be applied to the receiving member and permeate therefrom to the porous carrier, the carrier containing in a first zone a labelled specific binding reagent is freely mobile within the porous carrier when in the moist state, and in a second zone spatially distinct from the first zone unlabelled specific binding reagent for the same analyte which unlabelled reagent is permanently immobilised on the carrier material and is therefore not mobile in the moist state, the two zones being arranged such that liquid sample applied to the porous carrier can permeate via the first zone into the second zone, and the device incorporating mea

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic device for the colorimetric detection of an analyte in a test fluid. The device is a dry reagent layer which is overcoated with a transparent, fluid permeable membrane. The membrane is made up of a combination of a water dispersible and a water soluble polymer. The membrane may contain a surfactant and a thickener.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid test medium by use of an immunochromatographic test strip through which the test fluid can flow by capillarity. The test strip has at least two capture bands and optionally one or more collection bands which capture labeled anti-analyte antibody to provide a detectable signal. The signals from the label is quantitatively detected in each of the bands to provide a pattern of signals which is unique to the concentration of analyte in the test fluid. The pattern of signals are mathematically combined to create a monotonous dose-response curve to thereby factor out the high analyte hook effect which can be present in this type of assay.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising (a) a metal chelate wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of europium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium osmium and ruthenium in at least a hexacoordinated state and (b) a compound having a double bond substituted with two aryl groups, an oxygen atom and an atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen wherein one of the aryl groups is electron donating with respect to the other. Such composition is preferably incorporated in a latex particulate material. Methods and kits are also disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. The methods and kits employ as one component a composition as described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoassays, binding assays, solid phase substrates (12) and other devices with an antigen or antibody or ligand or receptor (11) embedded into a solid phase substrate (12). The antigen or antibody is mixed with a molten thermoplastic and formed into the solid phase substrate (12).

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a sample antigen in the presence of an interferant by (1) running two immunoassays on the sample: one assay where the interferant influences the binding of both the sample antigen and a labeled antigen and a second assay where the interferant influences the binding of the sample antigen but not the labeled antigen; (2) obtaining a plot of the possible sample antigen concentrations versus the possible interferant concentrations corresponding to the readout for the sample for each of the two immunoassays; and (3) determining the sample antigen concentration and the interferant concentration which correspond to the point that appears on both of the immunoassay plots.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the amount of an analyte in a membrane, by applying to the membrane a clearing agent, are disclosed. The clearing agent can be an agent that has approximately the same refractive index as the membrane; alternatively, the clearing agent can be a dissolving agent, that dissolves the membrane. The analyte can be labelled to facilitate detection. Representative labels include fluorescent labels and detectable particles.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and apparatus are provided which utilize flow cytometry, coated latex microspheres, and labelled antibodies, to simultaneously detect the presence and amount of several antigens or antibodies in a sample. Microspheres can be sized by forward angle light scatter (FALS) or electronic volume. By combining FALS and fluorescence, it is practical to use beads of several different sizes, colors or shapes, each bead coated with a different protein or antibody, for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a sample. Available auto-sampling systems make it even more appealing in this regard. In accordance with one embodiment, highly purified RNP. Sm, SS-A, SS-B and Scl-70 antigens are bound to 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 .mu.m latex beads, respectively and stabilized for extended shelflife. Diluted patient serum is placed into test tubes containing a mixture of the five antigen coated beads and incubated. If an antibody is present for a specific antigen, it will bind to that specific bead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for chemical and biological analysis, the apparatus having an optical trapping means to manipulate the reaction substrate, and a measurement means. The optical trapping means is essentially a laser source capable of emitting a beam of suitable wavelength (e.g., Nd:YAG laser). The beam impinges upon a dielectric microparticle (e.g., a 5 micron polystyrene bead which serves as a reaction substrate), and the bead is thus confined at the focus of the laser beam by a radial component of the gradient force. Once "trapped," the bead can be moved, either by moving the beam focus, or by moving the reaction chamber. In this manner, the bead can be transferred among separate reaction wells connected by microchannels to permit reactions with the reagent affixed to the bead, and the reagents contained in the individual wells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are bis-biotins. These compounds comprise two biotinyl radicals connected by a chain of atoms, usually at least 16 atoms in length. The bis-biotin is conjugated to a member of a specific binding pair ("sbp member") wherein the chain is not part of the sbp member. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a complex of avidin and a bis-biotin as described above. The compounds and compositions of the invention find use in an assay for an analyte wherein there is employed a reagent system comprising an avidin reagent and a biotin reagent. The improvement of the present invention comprises using as the biotin reagent a bis-biotin as described above. Also disclosed are kits comprising the present bis-biotins and methods of preparing a bis-biotinylated conjugate of a member of a specific binding pair ("sbp member") for use in a specific binding assay.

Abstract: The assay devices, assay systems and device components of this invention comprise at least two opposing surfaces disposed a capillary distance apart, at least one of which is capable of immobilizing at least one target ligand or a conjugate in an amount related to the presence or amount of target ligand in the sample from a fluid sample in a zone for controlled fluid movement to, through or away the zone. The inventive device components may be incorporated into conventional assay devices with membranes or may be used in the inventive membrane-less devices herein described and claimed. These components include, flow control elements, measurement elements, time gates, elements for the elimination of pipetting steps, and generally, elements for the controlled flow, timing, delivery, incubation, separation, washing and other steps of the assay process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the determination of an analyte in a sample liquid wherein the sample liquid is incubated with (a) a first receptor which binds to a first epitope that is only present once on the analyte and is immobilized on a particulate carrier material and (b) a second receptor which binds to a second epitope on the analyte and has at least two binding sites for the second epitope, the first epitope being different from the second epitope and the analyte is determined by means of the binding to both receptors.

Abstract: Novel magnetic assay methods and systems, as well as systems for conducting spectrophotometric analysis therewith. According to a preferred embodiment, the magnetic assay methods and systems incorporate a chromatographic medium, such as an assay test strip, that is designed to be contacted with a test solution having activated magnetic particles. A magnetic field, generated by a magnet or electromagnet, is additionally provided that if selectively applied to a chromatographic medium which causes the charged particles to become substantially bound at a site all in the chromatographic medium specified by the position of the magnets, to thus form a captured line or zone. To the degree of magnetic force applied to the medium may be selectively adjusted to vary the width or surface area of the capture line or zone. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, capture lines may be formed while test strips are in motion along a stationary magnetized rail.

Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitized with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analog and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analog is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitized solely with the non-specific protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are conjugates including a polymer backbone or microbead and binding molecules, such as Fv, Fab, or F(ab').sub.2 fragments of monoclonal antibodies or whole antibodies that are bound through their Fc carbohydrate moieties or have their Fc portion modified so that they cannot effect ADCC or complement-mediated cytolysis, and that are specific for a T cell surface antigen, such as CD3, TCR, CD4, CD8, or CD28 on T cells. The polymer or microbead is preferably made of cross-linked dextran, ficoll, latex, or agarose. The microbeads are preferably of 1 to 10 .mu.m in size, so that they can be suspended in in vivo fluids. These conjugates can be used to induce proliferation of T cells and immune stimulation, and to increase the antibody response against an administered antigen.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a sample antigen in the presence of an interferant by(1) running two immunoassays on the sample: one assay where the interferant influences the binding of both the sample antigen and a labeled antigen and a second assay where the interferant influences the binding of the sample antigen but not the labeled antigen;(2) obtaining a plot of the possible sample antigen concentrations versus the possible interferant concentrations corresponding to the readout for the sample for each of the two immunoassays; and(3) determining the sample antigen concentration and the interferant concentration which correspond to the point that appears in both the immunoassays plots.

Abstract: An arrangement for the investigation of hydrophilic macromolecules (1) in an aqueous solution having a solid carrier surface (5) onto which a lipid film (24) is disposed, wherein the molecules (1) to be investigated are bound, by means of a molecular coupling system (20), to the lipid film (24) and thus are immobilized, is characterized in that the molecular coupling system (20) comprises at least two, preferably three molecular or nuclear components (21, 22, 23), which can be coupled to each other, of which a first component (21) is bound to the lipid film (24) and a second component (22) is bound to a hydrophilic macromolecule (1) to be investigated. In this way, it is rendered possible to immobilize and investigate any hydrophilic macromolecules, wherein the coating of the solid carrier surface should be able to be carried out in an as easy as possible and reversible manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for the manufacture of magnetically responsive particles, also called ferrofluids. The improved method involves a heat treatment step, which may occur at various times during the preparation of the materials, including during subdivision of the magnetic starting material, during the addion of a coating material, after formation of a magnetically responsive particle, or some combination thereof. The materials formed by such a process have numerous advantages over materials formed by other processes, including enhanced salt stability, increased coating uptake, and increased binding capacity. These ferrofluids have applications in a variety of preparative and diagnostic techniques, including immunoassay, cell separations, toxicity testing, food testing, environmental analysis, and MRI.

Abstract: The present invention provides internally calibrated competitive assays for use on a solid support. Additionally, the invention provides a method of using such assays.

Abstract: A dual particle immunoassay method and kit for detecting analyte in a sample in which the sample to be analyzed, a binding molecule specific for the analyte, and a particle coated with the analyte to be detected or coated with a second binding molecule are reacted and applied to a porous membrane. The competitive immunoassay utilizes an analyte-coated particle, whereas the sandwich immunoassay employs a second binding molecule-coated particle. All of the reagents except for the coated particle are able to pass through the porous membrane. Detectable particles coated with a binding substance that binds to the binding molecule, such as protein A protein G, second antibody reactive to the binding molecule, or a small synthetic affinity ligand, are reacted with coated particles retained on the membrane surface. The detectable particles will pass through the membrane if not complexed with the coated particle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for isolating nucleic acid from a sample, said method comprising boiling said sample and allowing it to cool, and condensing the nucleic acid onto a high-surface area solid support, and in particular the use of such a method in the preparation of nucleic acid samples for subsequent amplification. The method has particular utility in the isolation of nucleic acid from aged, fixed or otherwise distressed samples.

Abstract: Methods for identifying polypeptides which coordinate to select metals, chemosensors comprising polypeptides which coordinate to select metals and methods for selectively detecting the presence of metals using these chemosensors are disclosed.

Abstract: A stable protein-coated nickel particle useful in biological assays contains a nickel particle having removed from the surface thereof nickel oxide; a linker attached to said nickel particle, the linker having a free amino group; and a protein attached to said linker by covalently bonding to the free amino group. Methods of producing and using these oxide-free nickel-protein conjugates are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the presence or amount of analyte in a fecal sample. The method comprises the steps of (A) contacting the fecal sample with an extraction reagent comprised of at least one detergent and at least one buffer to form a mixture, (B) applying the mixture to an absorbent filter that is in proximity to or in contact with an immunoassay such that analyte present in the sample is transferred to the immunoassay, and (C) detecting the presence of analyte by said immunoassay. In a preferred embodiment, the immunoassay comprises a porous strip containing immunoreagents for detecting analyte.

Abstract: A non-competitive method for the determination of analytes. Initially the analyte is bound to a specific binding partner, after which the unoccupied binding sites of the binding partner are inactivated. The bound analyte is then dissociated from the binding partner and replaced by a labeled marker, after which the bound labeled marker is determined. The signal from the bound labeled marker is directly proportional to the initial amount of analyte in the sample, which makes the present method more favorable than the competitive assays.

Abstract: An immunoassay method in which blood can be measured even without pretreatment by a centrifuge etc. In the present invention, antibodies or antigens in a sample are subjected to agglutination reaction with insoluble carriers onto which antigens or antibodies specifically reacting with the antibodies or antigens in the sample have been imrobilized and the resulting agglutination mixture is determined for the change in its absorbance or in its scattered light by irradiation with light, wherein said sample is whole blood and the whole blood is forcibly lysed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of carrying out an immunoassay in a multiphase system. Particularly, a sample containing an analyte is brought into contact with a receptor A and a tracer. The analyte can either from a complex with the tracer, or counteract the formation of a complex of receptor A and tracer by competing with the tracer for binding to receptor A, or counteract the formation of a complex of receptor A and tracer by competing with receptor A. Receptor B is added and the signal is determined. In this method, receptor A and receptor B are suitably immobilized, ensuring that the tracer either cannot enter into any binding involving the simultaneous participation of receptors A and B or can enter into such a binding to only such a slight extent that it is nevertheless possible to detect and differentiate differing analyte concentrations.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel process of using magnetically responsive fluorescent polymer particles comprising polymeric core particles coated evenly with a layer of polymer containing magnetically responsive metal oxide as highly sensitive quantitative reagents for biochemical and immunological studies, wherein the fluorescent magnetic particles can serve as a marker for the number of particles. A wide variety of polymeric particles with sizes ranging from 1 to 100 microns can be used a core particles and transformed into magnetically responsive polymer particles. The surface of these magnetically responsive polymer particles can be coated further with another layer of functionalized polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides hapten derivatives that are useful for the preparation of antigenic, antibody and label reagents having superior performance characteristics for use in immunoassays for the detection of d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene. In the present invention the propoxyphene nucleus is derivatized out of the nitrogen center to form an aminoalkyl -carboxyl, or -hydroxyl haptenic derivative. The resulting hapten can then be further modified at the now functionalized position off the nitrogen for linking to an appropriate antigenic or labeling group to provide reagents for propoxyphene immunoassays having excellent sensitivity and selectivity for both d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescent dyes that are substituted or unsubstituted derivatives of 1-(isoindolyl)methylene-isoindole that are bound through both isoindole nitrogens to a boron difluoride moiety, forming a fluorescent dibenzopyrrometheneboron difluoride compound ##STR1## that is further substituted by bathochromic substituents that are aryl or heteroaryl moieties further substituted by an additional aryl or heteroaryl, that is itself optionally further substituted by an additional aryl or heteroaryl. These aryl and heteroaryl groups are separated by a covalent bond, or by an ethenyl, butadienyl or hexatrienyl linkage. The dyes of the invention are particularly useful as labels for carriers, particularly polymeric microparticles. The resulting microparticles have a long-wavelength fluorescence emission, and possess utility for tracing flow in biological systems, particularly in tracing blood flow.

Abstract: Antibodies that selectively bind to quadruplex nucleic acids are described. Isolated cells that produce such antibodies, and methods utilizing these antibodies, are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a test strip is useful for determining the presence of one or more components in a fluid sample. The test strip can be used by itself or in conjunction with an associated housing assembly. The test strip provides a rapid volume, timing and temperature independent visually readable strip for the semi-quantitative detection of a component, such as an analyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test cell and a method for detection of a preselected ligand in a liquid sample such as a body fluid. The test cell includes an elongate outer casing which houses an interior permeable material capable of transporting an aqueous solution and defining a sample inlet, a test volume, and a reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is disposed in a section of the test cell spaced apart from the inlet and is filled with sorbent material. The reservoir acts to receive liquid transported along a flow path defined by the permeable material and extending from the inlet and through the test volume. In the test volume is a test site which includes a first protein having a binding site specific to a first epitope of the ligand immobilized in fluid communication with the flow path. The test site can be observed through a window of the casing.