(19)

(11)

EP 1 177 443 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 01.02.2001 (43) Date of publication: 06.02.2002 Bulletin 2002/06 (21) Application number: 00926619.8 (22) Date of filing: 10.05.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/543, C12Q 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/CA0000/540 (87) International publication number: WO 0068/415 (16.11.2000 Gazette 2000/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 10.05.1999 CA 2270639 (71) Applicant: The University of Manitoba Manitoba R3T 2N2 (CA)	(72) Inventors: MARQUARDT, Ronald, R. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 4G3 (CA) GAN, Zhibo Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4B7 (CA) (74) Representative: Pidgeon, Robert John et al Appleyard Lees 15 Clare Road Halifax West Yorkshire HX1 2HY Halifax West Yorkshire HX1 2HY (GB)