Syntex (u.s.a.) Inc.

Behringwerke Aktiengesellschaft

Dade Behring Marburg Gmbh

Skold Technology

Carl N Skold

Edwin F Ullman

Vartan E Ghazarossian

Armen B Shanafelt

Dariush Davalian

Remy Cromer

Rohan Peries

Kesavan Radika

Ian Gibbons

Thomas M Houts

Dennis R Gould

Margaret Henson

An improved method for separating materials is provided, using colloidal, magnetizable aggregates, optionally silanized, and coated with a one or more layers of novel polysaccharide derivatives. Materials separated by the aggregates of the invention include inorganic and organic molecules, viruses, organelles, and cells. The invention also relates to a kit for separating such materials. The separated materials are useful in analytical and preparative or in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Magnetic particles and methods of producing coated magnetic particles

A method for determining the presence of an analyte which is a specific binding pair member in a sample suspected of containing the analyte is described. The method involves: bringing together in an aqueous medium, the sample, an enzyme bound to a first specific binding pair member and an inhibitor for the enzyme bound to a second specific binding pair member wherein each specific binding pair member is capable of binding to the analyte or to a specific binding pair member complementary to the analyte; analyzing the medium for the activity of said enzyme; and relating the activity to the amount of analyte present in the medium. Compositions of matter and kits are also described.

Homogeneous immunoassays using enzyme inhibitors

A method is disclosed for stabilizing a conjugate of an enzyme and a member of a specific binding pair (enzyme conjugate). The method comprises the step of combining the enzyme conjugate with an effective amount of an antibody for the enzyme where the antibody does not substantially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. The invention has application to assays for the determination of an analyte wherein enzyme conjugates are employed. The improvement comprises employing as a reagent in the assay an immune complex of an enzyme conjugate and an antibody for the enzyme where the antibody does not substantially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. Compositions comprising such an immune complex and kits comprising such an immune complex in packaged combination with other assay reagents are also disclosed.

Method of stabilizing enzyme conjugates

Methods are disclosed for conducting assays. One such method comprises providing in combination a first bibulous member zone ('first zone') and a liquid medium containing a component. The first zone has non-diffusively bound thereto a reagent interreactive with the component. Conditions are selected wherein the liquid medium and at least a portion of the component contained therein traverse all of the first zone and migrate by capillary migration into a second bibulous member zone ('second zone'). The second zone is of a different composition than the first zone and is incapable of specifically binding the component except when an analyte is to be detected and the method further includes causing a reagent to become bound to the first bibulous member zone in relation to the amount of analyte present. The distance the component has migrated into the second zone or the difference in the distances the medium and the component have migrated into the second zone is determined, the distance or the difference being related to the amount of the component in the liquid medium or the amount of the reagent.

Device for immunochromatographic analysis

A method is disclosed for conducting an assay for an analyte. The method comprises causing a specific binding pair member in a first aqueous medium to become bound to a first bibulous member by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the medium. The first bibulous member is in liquid receiving relationship with an absorbent member. The contacting is carried out under conditions wherein the first medium traverses the first bibulous member and at least a portion of the absorbent member by capillary action. The method further comprises causing the first bibulous member to come into liquid receiving relationship with a second bibulous member. A reagent in a second aqueous medium is absorbed by and preferably becomes non-diffusively bound to the second bibulous member in relation to the presence of analyte in the first medium. This is accomplished by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the second aqueous medium under conditions wherein the second aqueous medium traverses the first bibulous member by capillary action and at least a portion of the second bibulous member. Next, the presence of the reagent on at least a portion of the second bibulous member is determined.

Method for immunochromatographic analysis

Device and kit for immunochromatographic analysis

A method is disclosed for conducting an assay for an analyte. The method comprises causing a specific binding pair member in a first aqueous medium to become bound to a first bibulous member by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the medium. The first bibulous member is in liquid receiving relationship with an absorbent member. The contacting is carried out under conditions wherein the first medium traverses the first bibulous member and at least a portion of the absorbent member by capillary action. The method further comprises causing the first bibulous member to come into liquid receiving relationship with a second bibulous member. A reagent in a second aqueous medium is absorbed by and preferably becomes a non-diffusively bound to the second bibulous member in relation to the presence of analyte in the first medium. This is accomplished by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the second aqueous medium under conditions wherein the second aqueous medium traverses the first bibulous member by capillary action and at least a portion of the second bibulous member. Next, the presence of the reagent on at least a portion of the second bibulous member is determined.

Methods are provided for modulating Ligand-Receptor interactions by binding of molecules at two epitopes of a receptor, where the epitopes are in relatively close special relationship. By providing for inhibition of changes in conformation of the receptor, where the inhibition is due to steric interactions or molecular bridging between the two epitopic sites, Ligand-Receptor interactions may be modulated. The modulation of Ligand-Receptor interactions has application to diagnostic assays, modulation of cellular activity, and modulation of the physiological activity of macromolecular compounds.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Carl N Skold