Abstract:
A method for testing a multiplicity of chemical entities for the ability of these chemical entities to enhance or inhibit abiological process. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a blank matrix having at least two major surfaces, the at least two major surfaces capable of receiving assay components and chemical entities; (b) applying at least one chemical entity to at least one of the at least two major surfaces of the blank matrix, whereby an impregnated matrix is formed; (c) applying to at least one of the at least two major surfaces ofthe impregnated matrix at least one assay component required for a biological process; and (d) evaluating the ability of the at least one chemical entity to enhance or inhibit the biological process involving the at least one assaycomponent. In the preferred embodiments, a response indicative of an enhancement or an inhibition of the aforementioned biological process can be detected by a tracer, which can be introduced to the impregnated matrix as an assay component. The response so detected can be preserved in the form of an image of the at least one of the two major surfaces of the impregnated matrix.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a container having internal projections capable of exerting compressive, frictional, or other forces on a sample-collecting device and sample before detecting an analyte in the sample. The invention can be used whenever detecting an analyte in a sample is improved or made possible by first changing the physical or chemical properties of the sample or analyte in a pretreatment step.
Abstract:
A method for testing a multiplicity of chemical entities for the ability of these chemical entities to enhance or inhibit abiological process. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a blank matrix having at least two major surfaces, the at least two major surfaces capable of receiving assay components and chemical entities; (b) applying at least one chemical entity to at least one of the at least two major surfaces of the blank matrix, whereby an impregnated matrix is formed; (c) applying to at least one of the at least two major surfaces ofthe impregnated matrix at least one assay component required for a biological process; and (d) evaluating the ability of the at least one chemical entity to enhance or inhibit the biological process involving the at least one assaycomponent. In the preferred embodiments, a response indicative of an enhancement or an inhibition of the aforementioned biological process can be detected by a tracer, which can be introduced to the impregnated matrix as an assay component. The response so detected can be preserved in the form of an image of the at least one of the two major surfaces of the impregnated matrix.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for running a plurality of tests concurrently to obtain data relating to the electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, Xenopus oocytes. The invention further provides software for controlling, acquiring, and recording data relating to electrophysiological properties of receptors and channels in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. This invention increases the throughput rate for experiments and assays employing receptors and ion channels expressed in biological membranes of test subjects, such as, for example, oocytes. In the case of an oocyte, these receptors and channels may be natively expressed (endogenous), may be placed into the oocyte (exogenous), or may be expressed from other RNA or DNA previously placed into the oocyte (exogenous). The invention provides a means for a sole researcher to operate a plurality of electrophysiological test stations in the time and space conventionally required by a single electrophysiological test station. The invention automates these stations and provides a means for a sole individual to perform large sets of experiments that would be physically and mentally exhausting in the absence of this invention. In addition, this invention provides efficient database and data analysis software integrated with the data acquisition software, thereby increasing the user's data-handling productivity to keep pace with the augmented data generation capacity.