Abstract: A drug-containing protein-bonded liposome comprising a liposome containing a drug and having maleimide residues on its surface, and a protein and residues of a compound having a polyalkylene glycol moiety, bonded via respective thiol groups to the maleimide residues.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multifunctional thrombo-resistant coatings for use with biomedical devices and implants, such as a coating which includes a siloxane surface onto which a plurality of amine functional groups have been bonded. Covalently bonded to the amine functional groups are a plurality of poly(ethylene oxide) chains, such that a single poly(ethylene oxide) chain is bonded to a single amine functional group. A plurality of different bioactive molecules, designed to counteract specific blood-material incompatibility reactions, are covalently bonded to poly(ethylene oxide) chains, such that a single bioactive molecule is coupled to a single polyethylene oxide chain.The methods of manufacturing the present invention include preparing a material having a siloxane surface onto which a plurality of amine functional groups have been bonded. This is achieved by plasma etching with ammonia gas or by plasma polymerization of a siloxane monomer in the presence of ammonia gas.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment of cancerous tissues in warm-blooded animals containing both an anticancer drug and a photoactivatable drug attached to copolymeric carriers are made up of a member selected from the group consisting of (a) a copolymeric carrier having attached thereto both an anticancer drug and a photoactivatable drug, (b) a mixture of copolymeric carriers wherein one copolymeric carrier has attached an anticancer drug and the other copolymeric carrier has attached a photoactivatable drug and (c) a combination of (a) and (b). The anticancer drug is attached to the polymeric carrier by side-chains which are stable in the blood stream of the warm-blooded animal but susceptible to hydrolysis by lysosomal enzymes intracellularly. The photoactivatable drug is attached by either the same degradable side-chain or by a non-degradable attachment. The polymer carrier may optionally contain a targeting moiety.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic peptides which contain certain partial sequences from factor VIIa, the synthesis thereof and the use of these peptides for immunizing an animal and for purifying specific antibodies against the said peptides, to antibodies against these peptides and the use of these antibodies and peptides in therapy and diagnosis.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aqueous dispersions of magnetizable polymer particles with a narrow distribution from aqueous dispersions with a wide distribution. The amount of water in the aqueous dispersion with a wide distribution is adjusted so that the proportion by weight of magnetizable polymer particles is between about 1 and 40% of said dispersion. The surfactant concentration of the dispersion after the water adjustment is increased until two phases are obtained: a so-called liquid phase and a so-called solid phase. After separation of these two phases is accomplished, these steps are repeated as desired. An aqueous dispersion with a narrow size distribution is recovered.

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: A method for forming a proteoliposome comprises incorporating into a liposome a membrane protein combined with a carrier. Further, a method for preparing a giant proteoliposome, comprises freezing and thawing an alkali metal salt solution containing a membrane protein and a lipid, and subsequently dialyzing against a second salt solution or a buffer solution having a lower osmotic pressure than that of said alkali metal salt solution. Further, a method for forming a proteoliposome, comprises freezing and thawing an alkali metal salt solution containing a membrane protein combined with a carrier and a lipid.

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 is described for measuring the amount of analyte present in a sample containing the analyte using a homogeneous amperometric immunoassay. The analyte is covalently bonded to a suitable carrier molecule, which is also covalently bonded to an electroactive molecule. The electroactive molecule, such as ferrocene carboxylic acid, contains a redox center which is capable of transferring a charge to an electrode. A preferred carrier molecule is bovine serum albumin (BSA), while suitable analytes include digoxin, theophylline and HCG. The immunoassay is conveniently performed by applying a voltage to a set of electrodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to radio-derivatized polymers and a method of producing them by contacting non-polymerizable conjugands with radiolysable polymers in the presence of irradiation. The resulting radio-derivatized polymers can be further linked with ligands of organic or inorganic nature to immobilize such ligands.

Abstract: Hybrid proteins containing repressor proteins and substituted receptor binding sites, amino acid and DNA sequences encoding the hybrid proteins are provided. Methods for preparing the hybrid proteins are also described.

Abstract: Polyionic derivatives of cyclodextrin polymers and cyclodextrins immobilized on a solid surface are disclosed. Compositions and methods for separating a molecular species, including but not limited to a biologically active protein, from a mixture, for the storage of protein factors and for the therapeutic biodelivery of protein factors which employ the polyionic derivatives of cyclodextrin polymers and cyclodextrins immobilized on a solid surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multifunctional thrombo-resistant coatings for use with biomedical devices and implants, such as a coating which includes a siloxane surface onto which a plurality of amine functional groups have been bonded. Covalently bonded to the amine functional groups are a plurality of poly(ethylene oxide) chains, such that a single poly(ethylene oxide) chain is bonded to a single amine functional group. A plurality of different bioactive molecules, designed to counteract specific blood-material incompatibility reactions, are covalently bonded to poly(ethylene oxide) chains, such that a single bioactive molecule is coupled to a single polyethylene oxide chain. The method of manufacturing the present invention include preparing a material having a siloxane surface onto which a plurality of amine functional groups have been bonded. This is achieved by plasma etching with ammonia gas or by plasma polymerization of a siloxane monomer in the presence of ammonia gas.

Abstract: The present invention describes a composition consisting of liposomes covalently or non-covalently coupled to the glycoprotein streptavidin. The streptavidin may additionally be coupled to biotinated proteins such as Immunoglobulin G or monoclonal antibodies.The liposomes of the invention may have a transmembrane potential across their membranes, and may be dehydrated. In addition, the composition may contain ionizable bioactive agents such as antineoplastic agents, and may be used in diagnostic 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: Methods are provided for the purification of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from a wide variety of sources, including synthetic mixtures, culture medium conditioned by natural IL-2 producing cells, and mammalian and bacterial recombinant IL-2 expression systems. The methods of the invention employ IL-2 receptor-affinity adsorbents in which soluble IL-2 receptors have been immobilized on solid supports. Through the use of these affinity adsorbents, highly purified IL-2 can be produced in a single step from bacterial extracts or conditioned medium. The IL-2 thus purified is largely free of aggregated forms, which are often present when other purification methods are used.

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: Methods for modifying polyhydroxylated materials by the direct covalent bonding of nucleophilic ligands to the former sites of hydroxyl groups on the material are disclosed. More specifically, methods for activating the surface of polyhydroxylated materials such as silica, which can serve as stationary phases in various chromatographic methods, are disclosed. The silica is first contacted with a reagent, e.g., a phosphorylating agent, effective to cleave the O--H bond of at least one of said hydroxyl groups and introduce through an --O-- linkage a moiety amenable to nucleophilic displacement; and the product of step (a) is then contacted with a suitable nucleophilic ligand.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the purification of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and chimeric proteins containing an IL-2 moiety from a wide variety of sources, including synthetic mixtures, cell culture conditioned medium and mammalian and bacterial recombinant expression systems. The methods of the invention employ IL-2 receptor-affinity adsorbents in which soluble IL-2 receptors have been immobilized on solid supports. Through the use of these affinity adsorbents, highly purified IL-2 and chimeric proteins containing an IL-2 moiety can be produced in a single step from bacterial extracts or conditioned medium. The proteins thus purified are largely free of aggregated forms, which are often present when other purification methods are used.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyprotein having at least 10 units, and often as many as 50 to 100 and more units held together by sulfur to sulfur or sulfur to carbon bonds is disclosed. Each unit comprises a protein and one or more heterobifunctional reagents. One functional group of the reagent is capable of forming a covalent bond with an amino group, permitting the reagent to bind to a protein. The other functional group of the reagent is capable of forming a covalent bond with a thiol group so as to form the covalent sulfur-carbon or sulfur-sulfur bond with another heterobifunctional reagent bonded to another protein.

Abstract: A biochemical reagent comprises an oligosaccharide, preferably one which has been liberated from an immunogenic glycoprotein or proteoglycan, which is immobilized on a carrier via an intermediate spacer molecule such as a lipid. The lipid molecule should preferably have at least two long lipid tails so that the oligosaccharide is held in spaced relationship to the carrier where is exhibits antibody-binding ability which is almost indistinguishable from that of the original glycoprotein or proteoglycan. The reagent has its application in biochemical testing of oligosaccharides and systems which bind to them.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soluble, biocompatible, pharmacological agent for inhibiting thrombin generation and thrombus formation, and methods for producing the same. The pharmacological agent or conjugate includes a soluble, biocompatible carrier and a thrombogenesis inhibitor immobilized thereto via the carrier which binds the inhibitor. The thrombogenesis inhibitor is hirudin, or an active analog or active fragment thereof. The thrombogenesis inhibitor may be bound to the carrier via a bifunctional cross-linking reagent.

Abstract: A single-step procedure for the immobilization of antibodies, comprising reacting a purified antibody with buffered periodate in an amount sufficient to produce aldehyde groups in the presence of a polymer carrier material which has been modified with adipic acid dihydrazide is disclosed. The present invention provides dramatic improvements in activity. and yield of immobilized antibody over the prior multi-step procedure employing separate oxidation and immobilization steps.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having hydrophobic surfaces are chemically modified to convert the hydrophobic surfaces to hydrophilic surfaces for immobilization of active moieties having bioactive, immunoactive, thermoactive, electroactive, optoactive or redoxactive properties. Langmuir-Blodgett films having a hydrophobic surface of omega unsaturated covalent bonds are formed from an amphiphilic, bifunctional surface active material having a hydrophobic tail group bearing an omega terminus of double or triple bonded unsaturation. The amphiphilic material may be fatty acids, phospholipids or porphyrins, and is preferably omega-tricosenoylamide or omega-tricosenoic acid. Chemical modification is carried out by exposing the hydrophobic surface to a reagent such as alkaline or acidic potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate or osmium tetroxide which oxidizes the omega unsaturated covalent bonds to provide hydrophilic groups such as hydroxyl or carboxylic acid groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for assaying biological samples, such as human serum, for barbiturates. In one aspect, analogs of barbiturates derivatized with fluorescein and analogs of barbiturates derivatized with immunogenic polypeptides are provided. The fluorescent analogs are employed as tracers in a competitive homogeneous immunoassay, i.e., a fluorescence polarization immunoassay, for detecting barbiturates. The immunogenic analogs are employed to make anti-barbiturate antiserum of the invention for use in the immunoassay method. Intermediates for preparing the fluorescent and immunogenic analogs are also provided. Further provided are test kits, comprising a fluorescent tracer and an antiserum according to the invention, for analyzing biological samples by fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the presence of a barbiturate.

Abstract: A cyclic peptide designated FR115224, administered parenterally in a cyclodextrin carrier, which exhibits antiallergic activity.

Abstract: A type II, proteinaceous, antigenic factor derived from a Group A streptococci which is a receptor for the Fc region of human Ig G3 and which exhibits a major diffuse protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and which has a molecular weight of about 38,000 daltons.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for immobilizing proteins or peptides onto a flat, microporous membrane surface in a form suitable for sequence analysis or other chemical or enzymatic processes. The process involves the formation of a thin polymer network that entraps the protein or peptide therein.

Abstract: A bridging molecule carrying a drug, or a label such as a fluorophore, which adds across disulfide bonds of molecules, particularly proteins, and methods of manufacturing and using the bridging molecules, are disclosed. The bridging molecule is reactive with sulfhydryl groups formed by the reduction of disulfide bonds of the protein. The functional groups of the bridging molecules are typically --SH groups.

Abstract: Thromboresistant materials are disclosed comprising hirudin or hirudin derivatives covalently linked to support materials such that the resultant composition has substantially the same biological activity as hirudin. Methods for making such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially pure modified .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin (m.beta..sub.2 m) of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is 24-amino acid residue, with the sequence Ile-Gln-Arg-Thr-Pro-Lys-Ile-Gln-Val-Tyr-Ser-Arg-His-Pro-Ala-Glu-Asn-Gly-Ly s-Ser-Asn-Phe-Leu-Asn, R.sub.2 is a 30-amino acid residue with the sequence Tyr-Val-Ser-Gly-Phe-His-Pro-Ser-Asp-Ile-Glu-Val-Asp-Leu-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gl u-Arg-Ile-Gly-Lys-Val-Glu-His-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser, R.sub.3 is a 20-amino acid residue with the sequence Trp-Ser-Phe-Tyr-Leu-Leu-Tyr-Tyr-Glu-Phe-Thr-Pro-Thr-Glu-Lys-Asp-Glu-Tyr-Al a, R.sub.4 is a 19-amino acid residue with the sequence Arg-Val-Asn-His-Val-Thr-Leu-Ser-Gln-Pro-Lys-Ile-Val-Lys-Trp-Asp-Arg-Asp-Me t, X is Phe, Phe-Ser, or Phe-Ser-Lys, and Y is Asp, Lys-Asp, or Ser-Lys-Asp is disclosed. The presence of the protein in body fluids is a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker for the development of a variety of disorders such as different types of cancer and diseases involving the immune system. Also disclosed are specific anti-m.

Abstract: Homogeneous cyclophilin, a soluble binding protein, having a specific binding activity of above 50 ug cyclosporin A per mg protein and a molecular weight of about 17,600 daltons, reversibly binds immunosuppressants or antibodies thereto such as cyclosporin or anti-cyclophilin. It is isolated from the cytosol of several different mammalian tissues and can be used in various diagnostic and purifications procedures.

Abstract: Fixation of a physiologically active substance on a carrier through an alkylene oxide chain allows the physioactive function of the substance to be retained to a high degree. The fixed physiologically-active substances are useful for separation and purification of materials. The carrier is preferably a thin fiber of 1.0 denier or less, and may be formed from a polymer. The alkylene oxide chain has an amino or epoxy group at one end which bonds to the carrier and a functional group at the other end which bonds to a physiologically-active substance.The carrier is preferably a thin fiber of 1.0 denier or less, and may be formed from a polymer. The alkylene oxide chain has an amino or epoxy group at one end which bonds to the carrier and a functional group at the other end which bonds to a physiologically-active substance.

Abstract: Porous immobilization support materials for use in physical and chemical processes are produced from bird, animal or fish bone by cleaning finely divided bone to remove all external tissue and by dissolving away all internal tissue from internal pores and internal Haversian canals of the bone to result in cleaned bone containing not more than 0.5% by weight of remaining lipid material, preferably containing only trace amounts, i.e. less than 0.1% by weight. The cleaned bone consists of porous finely-divided animal bone containing a collagenous matrix of organic fibrous connective tissue material including osein having uniformaly distributed therethrough mineral hydroxyapatite. The collagenous matrix provides an ideal distributed site for the chemical attachment of bacteria, cells and enzyme catalysts. The attachment may be by absorption, or by charge attraction, or with a cross-linking agent attachable between the bone and the supported material.

Abstract: A polymeric drug comprising an inert synthetic polymeric carrier combined through aminoacid or peptide spacers with a bioactive molecule, a targeting moiety, and an optional cross-linkage, comprises:(a) 5.0 to 99.7 mol % of units derived from N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide,(b) 0.2 to 20.0 mol % of units derived from an N-methylacrylcylated peptide, the peptide groups being bound to a bioactive moiety,(c) 0.1 to 94.8 mol % of units derived from N-methacrylamide, N-methacrylic acid or an N-methacrylolated aminoacid or peptide, to which are bound a determinant capable of interacting with specific receptors on cell surfaces,(d) optionally, 0 to 5 mol % of units derived from an N-methacryloylated peptide, the peptide groups being bound to a linking group which is similarly to a similar peptide group attached to another polymer chain, and(e) optionally, as a bioassay label, 0 to 2 mol % units derived from N-methyacryloylated tyrosinamide.

Abstract: Carnitine, aminocarnitine and cysteic acid serve as carriers to bring pharmaceutically active compounds to desired sites in the body, e.g. skeletal muscle or the heart. The pharmaceutically active compound can be a protease inhibitor, a cardioactive drug for combating arrythmia, etc. The linkage is chemical through one or more alcohol, carboxyl or amine groups using reagents such as glutaraldehyde, dicarboxylic acid anhydrides and acid halides and carbodiimides. Carnitine derivatives are also incorporated into liposomes which are then used as carriers of active pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for discriminating between cattle vaccinated against and those infected with Brucella spp. The method involves immunoassay using a purified polysaccharide containing 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-D-mannopyranosyl units obtained from B. abortus or from cross-reacting organisms, and results in improved differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals. Test kits are also disclosed for performing the assay and a process is disclosed for obtaining the O-chain polysaccharides in high purity and yield.

Abstract: An electrical biosensor for analyte determination is prepared by polymerization of a mixture of a biological receptor capable of binding an analyte in a sample, a protein and a polymerizing agent such as glutaraldehyde to form a polymeric film on a transducer. The mixture preferably contains a stabilizer selected from lipids, detergents and antioxidents. The receptor may be an acetylcholine receptor and the analyte, acetylcholine. A preferred stabilizer is a combination of phosphatidyl choline and octyphenoxypolyethoxyethanol. In carrying out a determination, analyte in a sample binds to the receptor causing a change in an electrical characteristic of the film which is indicative of the presence of the analyte. The biosensor may contain a second polymeric film that is free of the receptor and which serves as a control.

Abstract: Novel pH-sensitive immunoconjugates which dissociate in low-pH tumor tissue, comprising a chemotherapeutic agent and an antibody reactive with a tumor-associated antigen are described. The chemotherapeutic agent is coupled to the antibody by a link which is unstable in low pH. The link may comprise a spacer consisting of a polyamino acid. Representative antibodies for use in these immunoconjugates include monoclonal antibodies which are not internalized by tumor cells.

Abstract: Stable cross-linked complexes of transition-metal tetracarboxylates and proteins are formed. The preferred transition-metal is rhodium. The protein may be collagen or an enzyme such as a proteolytic enzyme.

Abstract: Several distinct peptide regions of the secreted form of purified human interleukin-1 species pI 6.8 have been found to exhibit characteristics associated with highly immunogenic protein moieties and are used to produce specific anti-peptide antibodies. The antibodies raised against the individual peptides are specific for the peptide used for their production and for IL-1, pI 6.8. The individual antibodies bind to both the precursor of IL-1, pI 6.8 and the mature or extracellular IL-1, pI 6.8.

Abstract: An active material and method of making same are disclosed comprising a metal oxide/hydroxide surface having chemically bonded to reactive sites thereon, a layer of a perfluorinated organic material formed by reacting with the metal oxide/hydroxide a perfluorinated organic acid comprised of an acid group and a perfluorinated carbon-containing group. The bond to the metal oxide/hydroxide surface is formed by reaction of the acid group with the metal oxide/hydroxide surface, so that the perfluorinated carbon-containing group is oriented away from the metal oxide/hydroxide surface. The perfluorinated organic acid may be a perfluorinated phosphonic acid, a perfluorinated phosphinic acid, a perfluorinated carboxylic acid, or a mixture of two or more of the acids.

Abstract: A biocatalyst such as an enzyme or microbe is immobilized in a polymer gel having a phase transition temperature such that it is capable of reversibly swelling and shrinking by a change in temperature. By lowering the temperature, the polymer gel is caused to swell and a biocatalyst is absorbed therein and by raising the temperature, the polymer gel is caused to shrink and immobilize the biocatalyst. The biocatalyst may then be released by cooling the polymer to cause it to swell. Only a portion of the polymer gel may be subjected to temperature change to immobilize the biocatalyst only in a desired portion.

Abstract: A solution of an active protein substance and an inactive protein substance is reacted with a cross-linking agent, optionally in the presence of an inert carrier, under cross-linking conditions to produce articles comprising both active and inactive protein substances. The active protein substance comprises up to about 20 percent, e.g. from 1 to 20 percent by weight, based on the final weight of the total protein substance, whereas the cross-linking agent comprises from 0.5 to 8 percent by weight, based on the weight of the total treated mixture. The obtained articles are in the form of a solution or a suspension in aqueous medium, in the form of a film, in the form of a membrane, in the form of a fabric, in the form of a porous material, or in the form of a mass, such as granules, pills or tablets.

Abstract: Pancreatic disease can be diagnosed by assaying a patient's body fluid, e.g. serum or urine, for the activation peptides of pancreatic zymogens specifically cleaved by proteolysis during activation, (PAP) e.g. peptides including the sequence D.sub.4 K having the lysine as the carboxy terminus. When PAP is assayed for, the test provides a means for distinguishing necrotising acute pancreatitis from oedematous acute pancreatitis, provides for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis in exacerbation, and permits monitoring of the severity progress of the disease. Also described are antibodies having specificity for the pancreatic activation peptides, as well as such peptides and antibodies which are labelled with revealing agents and/or immobilized on solid supports, and their use in diagnostic test kits.

Abstract: Methods and materials are described for the preparation of novel immobilized membrane compositions. The described compositions are useful for evaluating membrane association charcteristics of chemical compounds, and as a chromatographic support material for separation/purification of biomolecules and particularly those expressed by genetically transformed cells as novel hybrid proteins having covalently bound membrane-binding peptides. Novel phospholipid carboxylates are useful intermediates for the preparation of chromatography supports having surfaces formed as covalently bound artificial membranes which simulate natural cellular membranes. The immobilized membrane compositions are adapted for use in chromatographic systems to study interactions of biologically active substances with membranes in vitro.

Abstract: Peptides comprising fibrin-specific epitopic sequences are used to prepare hybridoma cell lines producing antifibrin-specific monoclonal antibodies substantially devoid of fibrinogen-cross-reactivity obtained by somatic cell fusion. The antibodies are useful for the in vivo and in vitro detection of thrombi and fibrin deposits.

Abstract: A membrane mimetic structure having a hydrophilic outer portion and a hydrophobic inner portion is covalently bound to a surface having reactive functional groups. The membrane mimetic structure consists essentially of adjacent amphiphilic molecules independently covalently bound to the surface. The structures can be applied to surfaces and should find application in a wide variety of disciplines requiring surfaces exhibiting properties of biological membranes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the cloning and expression of plasmids bearing genes encoding a novel protein derived from HTLV-III. This protein, which is called the gag/env protein and which contains antigenic determinants from both the core and envelope proteins of HTLV-III, can be purified to homogeneity and used as the basis for diagnostic tests to detect the presence of antibodies against viruses associated with AIDS or the viruses themselves in human sera and other biological fluids. The gag/env protein may also be formulated for use as a vaccine for protection against AIDS through prophylactic immunization.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprise a77 first amino acid sequence and a second amino acid sequence. The first amino acid sequence is derived from a retrotransposon or an RNA retrovirus and confers on the fusion protein the ability to assemble into particles; an example is the product of the YTA gene of the yeast retrotransposon Ty. The second amino acid sequence is an HIV antigen. So particles formed of the fusion proteins may be useful in vaccines or in diagnostic or purification applications.