This invention provides, and in certain specific but non-limiting aspects relates to: assays that can be used to predict whether a given ISV will be subject to protein interference as described herein and/or give rise to an (aspecific) signal in such an assay (such as for example in an ADA immunoassay). Such predictive assays could for example be used to test whether a given ISV could have a tendency to give rise to such protein interference and/or such a signal; to select ISV's that are not or less prone to such protein interference or to giving such a signal; as an assay or test that can be used to test whether certain modification(s) to an ISV will (fully or partially) reduce its tendency to give rise to such interference or such a signal; and/or as an assay or test that can be used to guide modification or improvement of an ISV so as to reduce its tendency to give rise to such protein interference or signal; methods for modifying and/or improving ISV's to as to remove or reduce their tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal; modifications that can be introduced into an ISV that remove or reduce its tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal; ISV's that have been specifically selected (for example, using the assay(s) described herein) to have no or low(er)/reduced tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal; modified and/or improved ISV's that have no or a low(er)/reduced tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal.

A biochip is described having a substrate that has disposed on a surface at least one spot containing a complex between a solid carrier modified by a reactive group and a substance to be immobilized that has been modified via a spacer by a group that reacts with the reactive group. A method for producing the biochip and a method for detecting a target substance using the biochip are also described.

A biosensor with improved detection sensitivity of a target substance, a method for preparing a biosensor with improved detection sensitivity, and a method for detecting a target substance using the biosensor.

A functionalised nanoparticle that is at least in part coated by a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises charged and uncharged groups at a ratio ranging from 4:1 to 1:4 and the functionalised nanoparticle is conjugatable or can be functionalised to conjugate with a biomolecule.

The present disclosure relates to a solid phase coated with (strept)avidin and having attached thereto, by way of biotin:(strept)avidin interaction, a biotinylated first member of a binding pair, wherein the attached first member is capable of binding to a second member of the binding pair, but is not capable of binding to biotin or to (strept)avidin, and wherein no member of the binding pair is capable of hybridizing with a naturally-occurring single-stranded nucleic acid. The solid phase is particularly useful in immunoassays with samples having high content in biotin or (strept)avidin-binding derivatives thereof. The present disclosure further provides uses, kits and methods, particularly for determination of an analyte in a sample.

A problem to be solved is to provide an immunochromatographic test strip in which a specimen sufficiently and quickly permeates into a sample application region within a test time so that variations in detection values of a test line can be prevented. Particularly, a problem to be solved is to provide an immunochromatographic test strip causing less variations in detection values even when the specimen is whole blood.

The problems are solved by providing an immunochromatographic test strip including at least a sample application region, a development region, and a detection region, wherein the sample application region contains polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 15,000 to 700,000.

A method of detecting a substance, wherein the method includes functionalizing a plurality of sensors, wherein the functionalizing the plurality of sensors comprises depositing a first material using a piezoelectrically actuated pipette system, wherein the first material includes a polymer, a receptor, and a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises dimethylformamide. The method further includes evaporating a solution of the first material, wherein a residue after the evaporation comprises a functionalized chemical. Additionally, the method includes introducing a control material to a first set of sensors of the plurality of sensors using the piezoelectrically actuated pipette system. Further, the method includes introducing a test material to a second set of sensors of the plurality of sensors using the piezoelectrically actuated pipette system, wherein the test material comprises an analyte. Moreover the method includes determining a difference between a first resonant frequency shift in the first set of sensors of the plurality of sensors and a second resonant frequency shift in the second set of sensors of the plurality of sensors.

The present disclosure relates to a method of digesting a sample comprising protein, the method comprising: adding the sample to an apparatus containing a buffer and a solid support surface comprising a surface coating, wherein the surface coating immobilizes enzyme while reducing undesired interactions between the sample and the solid support surface; immobilizing enzymes on the surface coating for digestion of the protein of the sample; and heating the sample to complete a heat-assisted digestion of the protein.

The present disclosure relates to a hetero-functional coating applied on a solid support. The coating includes a first functionality for conjugating biomolecules for the analysis of a protein or nucleic acid, and a second functionality for preventing undesired interactions between analytes of interest and the surface of solid support.

Among other things, the present disclosure is related to devices and methods of performing biological and chemical assays, such as but not limited to immunoassays and nucleic assay acid, particularly a homogeneous assay that does not use a wash step and that is fast (e.g., 60 seconds from dropping a sample to displaying results). The present disclosure is related to both competitive and non-competitive homogeneous assays.