Unilever Patent Holdings B.v.

Internationale Octrooi Maatschappij 'octropa' Bv

Inverness Medical Switzerland Gmbh

Unipath Limited

Philip Porter

Paul James Davis

Margaret Anneli Linggood

Robert Andrew Badley

Mark J Berry

William Dennis Allen

Stephen H Parry

John Coley

Jonathan Richard Powell

John W Chidlow

Keith May

Mohamed M Gani

Trevor A Wattam

Trevor Wattam

Richard A Clayton

A process for carrying out a specific binding assay (for example an immunoassay) in which (a) a sample under assay, possibly containing a substance being tested for, is reacted with (b) a specific binding partner for the substance being tested for, immobilised on a solid support, and (c) a specific binding partner for the substance being tested for which is conjugated to a detectable marker, thereby to form a complex by reaction between whatever quantities are present of the substance being tested for with reagents (b) and (c), in which the marker is immobilised to the support via the substance being tested for, and is detected or assayed as an index of the quantity present in the sample (a) of any of the substance being tested for; characterised in that reaction ingredients (a), (b) and (c) are all mixed in a single step for reaction in a single reaction liquid, and competitive interference between the binding reactions of the substance being tested for and reagents (b) and (c) is avoided either by use of an antibody of narrow and different, non-interfering specificity, such as a monoclonal antibody, to avoid the interference, or by use of a slow-release form of reagent (c).

Processes and apparatus for carrying out specific binding assays

Specific binding assays

An antibody specific for a target analyte is purified by affinity chromatography on a substrate bearing a low-affinity analogue of the target analyte. The antibody is displaced from the substrate by contact with a second analogue of intermediate affinity, which remains complexed with the antibody. This complex can be used in a conventional assay for the target analyte, which displaces the intermediate-affinity analogue. The complexed antibody is rendered more storage-stable because the second analogue protects the antibody binding reagion.

Recovery of and uses of specific binding agents

A strain of Enterococcus faecium, deposited as NCIMB 40371, has valuable probiotic properties and is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in human patients. The strain can be used in the manufacture of human foodstuffs.

Priobiotic containing enterococcus faecium strain NCIMB 40371

Method for monitoring ovulation

A process for carrying out a specific binding assay by reacting (a) a sample under assay for the possible presence of a substance being tested for, (b) a specific binding partner for the substance being tested for, immobilised on a solid support, and (c) a specific binding partner for the substance being tested for which is conjugated to a detectable marker, to thereby form a complex by reacting between whatever quantities are present of the substance being tested for in (a) with reagents (b) and (c). The marker is immobilised to the support via the substance being tested for, and is detected or assayed as an index of the quantity present in the sample (a) of any of the substance. The reaction ingredients (a), (b) and (c) are all mixed in a single step for reaction in a single reaction liquid. Competitive interference between the binding reactions of the substance being tested for and reagents (b) and (c) is avoided by use of monoclonal antibodies of narrow and different, non-interfering specificity, reaction reagent (b) is immobilized on the surface of a displacer body.

A novel strain of Enterococcus faecium, deposited as NCIMB 40371, has valuable probiotic properties and is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in human patients. The novel strain can be used in the manufacture of human foodstuffs.

Probiotic

Assays and devices therefor

Antibodies are produced by hyperimmunizing a mammal, such as cow, with a vaccine derived from E. coli bacteria. The bacterial strains in the vaccine are selected on the basis of their virulence characteristics, especially adhesion factors (pili), associated with gastroenteric disease in humans. The antibodies can be recovered from the mammal's milk or serum, and used in human foods.

Production of antibodies using a mixture of strains of E. coli

An immunoassay for an analyte is disclosed in which (a) sample, (b) an immobilized specific binding partner for the analyte and (c) the specific binding partner for the analyte conjugated to a detectable marker are reacted together in a single step. Competitive interference of the reagents is avoided by using reagent (c) in a slow-release form as a glaze coated on a surface in contact with the reaction liquid.

Process and apparatus for carrying out specific binding assays

Process for the recovery of immunoglobulins

A vaccine comprising an antigen selectively adsorbed onto erythrocytes possessing their natural surface characteristics. When the antigen is the K88a,b/adhesion factor of E. coli and the erythrocytes are chicken erythrocytes, the vaccine is especially suitable for reducing the incidence of neonatal diarrhoea in pigs if it is administered parenterally to a sow about three weeks prior to parturition.

Process for vaccine preparation

The risk that the health of pregnant animals and their young will be impaired by gastro-intestinal infection is reduced by oral administration of endotoxins of the relevant pathogenic organisms to the pregnant animals. Combination of oral and parenteral administration is particularly beneficial, whether the animal is pregnant or not, in boosting immunological capacity. This technique is especially beneficial for mammals whose young acquire their passive immunity via the colostrum and hence through the gastro-intestinal wall, such as pigs, cows and sheep.

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Bedford, United Kingdom

Philip Porter