Reagents comprising MS active, fluorescent molecules with an activated functionality for reaction with amines useful in tagging biomolecules such as N-glycans and uses thereof are taught and described. In particular embodiments, the MS active, fluorescent molecules are of the compound of the Formula III ##STR00001##
or of the Formula IV ##STR00002##
where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are defined herein.

The present teachings relate to methods, systems, and kits for the preparation, purification and/or analysis of a glycan or glycoconjugate, and specifically to a magnetic bead based sample preparation protocol. In some aspects, the sample preparation protocol can provide for glycoconjugate capture, glycan release, fluorescent derivatization, and glycan purification for subsequent capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, or other glycoanalytical method using magnetic beads containing negatively charged carboxyl groups extending from the surface of the magnetic beads.

Reagents comprising MS active, fluorescent molecules with an activated functionality for reaction with amines useful in tagging biomolecules such as N-glycans and uses thereof are taught and described. In particular, compounds for use as a reagent for rapid fluorescence tagging of biomolecules and enhanced MS signaling are provided. The compounds may have optical centers and therefore may occur in different enantiomeric and diastereomeric configurations. These MS active, fluorescent compounds may have three functional components: (a) a tertiary amino group or other MS active atom; (b) a highly fluorescent moiety, and (c) a reactive group that rapidly reacts with amines. The reactive group provides rapid tagging of desired bio-molecules. The fluorescent moiety provides the fluorescent signal. The tertiary amino group provides the MS signal.

The present disclosure discloses simple and efficient glycan- or carbohydrate-based processes or methods for the rapid identification of biological markers and therapeutic targets especially glycan-related targets of infectious diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammation, toxicity, obesity and/or other disorders of humans, animals, plants and other organisms. Therefore, novel methods and products for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of such diseases obtainable based on these therapeutic targets can be developed.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods using mass spectrometry for direct profiling of N-linked glycans from a biological sample. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention also disclose novel methods, known as targeted analyte detection (TAD), for improving the detection limit of MALDI-MS. These methods take advantage of the carrier effect of the added standard analytes, which occurs due to the generic sigmoidal shape of the calibration curve. The functionality of TAD depends on the relative enhancement of sensitivity over the increase of the standard deviation at the analysis of target analytes with spiking in exogenous concentration. At certain ranges of exogenous concentration, the increment in the sensitivity overcomes the standard deviation, resulting in an improved LOD. Theoretically, exogenous concentrations approximately at 1 LODorig would generate the optimum LOD improvement. TAD is a cost-effective LOD improvement method, which is not limited to a certain group of analytes, or detection methods or instruments. It can be applied to enhance the detection of any analyte with different detection methods, provided that the analyte of interest can be extracted or is available in synthetic form.

Disclosed herein is an integrated microfluidic chip for detecting cancerous cells, particularly, cholangio-cancerous cells, from a biological sample. Also disclosed herein is a method of detecting cholangio-cancerous cells from a biological sample.

The invention provides methods and tools, for example, glycan arrays, for the analysis of glycans and anti-glycan antibodies. Embodiments of the invention may be used to detect proteins, antibodies, diseases and/or pathogenic agents. In other embodiments, methods of the invention are used to develop or optimize arrays and antibodies.

The invention provides methods and tools, for example, glycan arrays, for the analysis of glycans and anti-glycan antibodies. Embodiments of the invention may be used to detect proteins, antibodies, diseases and/or pathogenic agents. In other embodiments, methods of the invention are used to develop or optimize arrays and antibodies.

The present disclosure relates to glycan-based biomarkers for the diagnosis or prognosis of brain damage, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The present disclosure relates to glycan-based biomarkers for the diagnosis or prognosis of brain damage, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI).