Abstract:
A two-step nucleic acid hybridization probe assay for certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV) associated with cervical cell dysplasia and malignancy comprises a fluid phase capture hybridization step in which amplified specific gene E6/E7 messenger RNA from a biological specimen is hybridized to a biotinylated capture reagent to form a complex, attachment of the capture reagent complex to a solid phase by reaction with immobilized streptavidin, a second hybridization step in which a virus type-specific enzyme-conjugated detection probe hybridizes with the complexed amplified messenger RNA, and detection of the complexed detection probe by color or fluorophor production following a wash of the solid phase and addition of an appropriate chromogenic or fluorogenic substrate. The assay has enhanced sensitivity compared to conventional tests and is specific for actual expression of HPV oncogenes in cervical specimens, and not merely indicative of viral presence.
Abstract:
A sample analyzer is disclosed for analyzing the characteristics of a plurality of samples. The analyzer includes a movable sample support for holding samples arranged in a first plurality of holders in a sequence for movement in a first direction. An indexing drive for the sample support advances the sample support in the first direction in a set of one or more increments, wherein one increment in the set is a net amount equal to a second plurality of holders greater than one holder and less than the first plurality such that the second plurality is relatively prime with respect to the first plurality.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an immunoassay for thrombin-antithrombin complex in a human fluid sample. The assay comprises reaction of a human fluid sample with at least two antibodies or immunoreactive fragments thereof, wherein at least one of the antibodies binds to thrombin-antithrombin III complex in the sample, but exhibits essentially no cross-reactivity with antithrombin III and complexes of antithrombin III with other serine proteaste factors.
Abstract:
A sealable container for holding an analytical sample for processing is disclosed. The container includes a body (12) with a dispensing port (26) and an insert member (14) slidably received in the body (12). The insert member and the body are movable relative to each other between a first position, in which the outlet port (18) is substantially aligned with the dispensing port (26), and a second position, in which the outlet port is substantially out of alignment with the dispensing port. Sealing means (48), which may take the form of O-rings between the insert member and the body, provide a substantially airtight, hermetic seal between a reaction chamber formed in the insert member and the body so that the reaction chamber can be sealed or isolated from the outside environment. The container is particularly adapted to contain the processes of nucleic acid amplification and to thereby reduce the problems of sample crosscontamination encountered in such processes. A method of processing an analytical sample using such a container is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A self-adjusting linkable carrier (10, 12, 14) for sample tubes (16), cuvettes, cells and the like comprising a longitudinally symmetrical vertically oriented polygonal body having two pairs of orthogonally disposed opposed vertical faces (26, 28, 30, 32) and a horizontal bottom sliding surface (34) is disclosed. The top surface (36) of the body is provided with a central bore (38) opening into a vertical cavity (40) adapted to releasably receive and retain a wide variety of sample tube configurations in a stable vertical orientation. Machine readable indicia (60) may be provided on the external surface and vertical slots (66, 68, 70, 72) are provided in each external face (26, 28, 30, 32) to provide access to the central vertical cavity (40). A releasably locking horizontally aligned dovetail feature (74, 76) is provided to link adjacent carriers into conveniently handled racks or magazines which may be assembled and disassembled by machine. Additional horizontally sliding indexing elements (92, 94) are provided to facilitate the stable storage and transport of the carrier.
Abstract:
This invention relates to binding protein assays. In particular, this invention relates to binding protein assays for B12 and folate in serum or plasma. More specifically, this invention provides a sequential assay that uses a combination of specific binding proteins, and anti-binding protein antibodies to measure B12 and folate in serum or plasma.
Abstract:
Systems for conducting analytical procedures include multiple work stations (22 to 36) that are each individually accessible through a common processing hub (100). A shuttle mechanism operates within the common processing hub (100) for conveying materials to and from the work stations (22 to 36) through their associated hub accesses. The common hub (100) creates a compact operating zone in which access to the processing stations (22 to 36) can be arranged at different arcuate positions, as well as vertically stacked one above the other, thereby providing a processing module with a relatively small ''footprint''. The systems are capable of sequentially transporting a number of test carriers (12) in nonlinear, discontinuous paths among the various processing stations (22 to 36) to thereby perform different precribed processing tasks upon different carriers (12) at the same time.
Abstract:
In an assay for determination of beta-lactam antibiotic resistance in a target bacterial strain, the strain is grown in the presence of both a beta-lactamase inducing antibiotic and a beta-lactam indicator antibiotic which kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria unable to hydrolyze beta-lactam antibiotics. Growth, indicative of drug resistance in the target strain, is monitored by detecting a fluorophor released by the enzymatic cleavage of a metabolizable fluorogenic compound.
Abstract:
Rare earth chelate-conjugated oligonucleotides useful in nucleic acid hybridization assays and for generating chelate-labelled probes of any desired sequence are disclosed. The particular class of chelates utilized exhibit an unusually high efficiency of rare earth element capture, correlated with emission of a high level of signal in time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy compared to other structurally related chelate compounds.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method to immobilize cardiolipin, phosphatidyl choline and/or cholesterol individually or in combination on a solid phase and a sensitive and rapid assay for reaginic antibodies, such as syphilis, in human serum of plasma, using said immobilized cardiolipin, phosphatidyl choline and/or cholesterol.