The present invention relates to a container for an analyte-sensitive gel. When analyte contacts such a gel it causes a gel-sol transition resulting in decreased viscosity of the gel. Such gels can be used for controlling the rate of release of an agent from a reservoir in response to the concentration of an analyte. The container is configured to allow analyte to pass into the container and contact the gel and to allow agent to diffuse out of the container. Such a container may be implantable in the body of a subject and therefore it is preferred if the container is constructed from materials that can be tolerated by the body for a period of time. Advantageously, the container limits the swelling and dilution of gel contained within the container caused by the influx of water into the gel by osmosis. The container therefore maintains the gel in a desired conformation and ensures a predictable release profile of the agent.

The invention is directed to a competitive glucose binding affinity assay comprising a glucose receptor (typically mannan binding lectin) labeled with an assay fluorophore and a modified glucose analog (typically dextran) labeled with a reference fluorophore. In certain embodiments, the glucose analog is dextran and is coupled to both a reference fluorophore and a quencher dye (e.g. hexamethoxy crystalviolet-1). Optionally the reference fluorophore is blue shifted relative to the assay fluorophore.

The invention is directed to a competitive glucose binding affinity assay comprising a glucose receptor (typically mannan binding lectin) labeled with an assay fluorophore and a modified glucose analog (typically dextran) labeled with a reference fluorophore. In certain embodiments, the glucose analog is dextran and is coupled to both a reference fluorophore and a quencher dye (e.g. hexamethoxy crystalviolet-1). Optionally the reference fluorophore is blue shifted relative to the assay fluorophore.

Methods, systems, compositions and kits are described for detecting cleaved glycans from a glycoconjugate. After labeling the glycan with a nucleic acid charged oligomer described herein, the labeled glycans can be separated under the influence of an electric field or based on their detectable tag and identified.

The invention relates to a device for detecting analytes, including a plastic substrate at least partially covered by bonding polymers attached to the substrate in a non-covalent manner, said bonding polymers comprising a polysaccharide backbone provided with aromatic groupings and carboxylic acid groupings.