(19)

(11)

EP 1 218 724 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/27 (21) Application number: 00966288.3 (22) Date of filing: 05.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 21/47, G01N 21/64 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0003/811 (87) International publication number: WO 0125/756 (12.04.2001 Gazette 2001/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 05.10.1999 GB 9923347 (71) Applicant: THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Manchester M13 9PL (GB)	(72) Inventors: AMRANI, Hassan Brunswick,Manchester M13 9UD (GB) LLOYD, Christopher James Fallowfield,Manchester M14 6UE (GB) (74) Representative: Roberts, Peter David  Marks & Clerk,Sussex House,83-85 Mosley Street Manchester M2 3LG Manchester M2 3LG (GB)