Amoco Corporation

University of California

Vysis, Inc.

Garfield P Royer

Larry E Morrison

Kenneth A Cruickshank

Michael J Heller

Cavit Akin

John J Joung

Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common receptor. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive group in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

Template-directed photoligation

A method for the detection of a target polynucleotide sequence wherein the target polynucleotide sequence is used as a template to direct hybridization of first and second polynucleotide probes to contiguous portions of the target. The hybridized probes are then ligated, preferably by covalent linkage of photoreactive functional groups present on each of the probes, to produce a ligated reaction product. The ligated reaction product is then multiplied with a polymerase such as Q-beta replicase to produce an enzyme reaction product which is then detected. The presence of the enzyme reaction product is indicative of the presence of the target polynucleotide sequence.

Template-directed ligation and amplification assay

Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common target. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive groups in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

An immobilized biocatalyst suitable for fermenting to produce ethanol is prepared by mixing a biocatalyst such as a microorganism with a reaction product of a homogeneous dispersion of an anionic polysaccharide such as alginate and a cationic polymer such as polyethyleneimine, and combining the resultant dispersion with an oil phase to form beads. A surtactant may be present when combining the dispersion with the oil phase. A water soluble-oil insoluble curing powder includinga salt of a multivalent cation such as calcium chloride is mixed with the beads in the oil phase to gell and dehydrate the beads and to prevent the beads from adhering to one another until individual bead surfaces become hardened.

Biocatalyst immobilization in a gel of anionic polysaccharide and

Binding assay methods involving determining the presence of analytes in samples through enzymatic formation of detectable substances in amounts related to the amount of analyte present in the sample and monitoring for the presence of the substances in distinct phases. Methods according to the invention include use of labelled materials which associate with the analyte to be determined or compete with the analyte for association with an added binder. The labelled materials employed include label portions which enzymatically form substances from substrates provided in or existing as a first phase, or, upon enzymatic treatment in a first phase, disassociate into substances capable of existing in or as a second distinct phase. Formation of the detectable substances is monitored by determining the transfer of the substance to a second distinct phase in contact with the first phase or by determining formation of a second distinct phase. The assays are useful in determining human IgG protein in blood samples and other constituents of blood or other biological samples without elaborate instrumentation, allowing for practice outside the clinical laboratory.

Growing community of inventors

Elburn, IL, United States of America

Garfield P Royer