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Immunoassays are a valuable tool in industry and the life sciences. These tests are to thank for
better disease treatments, safer food and water and advances in biological research. In this
guide, we will delve into immunoassays, explaining what they are, the different types and their
applications.
Contents
What is an immunoassay?
Classifying immunoassays
- What is a radioimmunoassay?
- Biopharmaceutical analysis
- Food testing
- Environmental monitoring
What is an immunoassay?
Immunoassays are biochemical tests used to detect the presence or concentration of a specific
chemical, such as a toxin or hormone, in a solution using antibodyantigen reactions.
Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins produced by the immune systems of humans and other
animals in response to foreign substances (antigens) like bacteria, toxins and viruses.
Antibodies are antigen-specific, with the binding sites on the antibody and antigen acting as a
sort of lock and key. Immunoassays use this antibodyantigen bonding relationship to identify
specific molecules in a solution. In immunoassays, antigens are called analytes.
Listicle
Classifying immunoassays
There are a variety of ways to classify immunoassays. One of the main distinctions is that most
immunoassays use labels while others do not. Labeled immunoassays use a variety of labels to
modify or detect the antibodies and analytes. Label-free immunoassays use detection methods
that do not rely on labeling or modification.
The critical components of an immunoassay: an analyte, an antibody, and a label that can be
detected.
Labeled immunoassays are further broken down into two groups: heterogenous
immunoassays and homogeneous immunoassays. A heterogeneous
immunoassay, also known as a separation immunoassay, is a multi-step assay that requires
analyte-antibody complex separation prior to analysis. A homogenous immunoassay does not
require separation before analysis.
Let us take a look at some of the most popular types of labeled immunoassays.
What is an ELISA?
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is another term for EIA. There are four main
types of ELISA: direct, indirect, sandwich and competitive. In each type, the basic principle
of detection is consistent, but the arrangement of antigen and antibody changes. In a lab,
these tests are usually conducted in multiwell plates, and there are several steps that can be
followed to maximize ELISA success.
What is a radioimmunoassay?
Immunoassays are easy to perform, and as such, they are widely used. Here are some common
immunoassay applications.
One of the fields for which immunoassays are essential is disease diagnostics and treatment.
For instance, immunoassays are used in cancer diagnostics, pregnancy tests and therapeutic
drug monitoring. These bioanalytical tests can examine the response to pharmaceutical drug
treatments for conditions like HIV and cancer. They’re also used in workplace drug-testing.
Biopharmaceutical analysis
Biopharmaceutical drugs are those that have been extracted, synthesized or manufactured
from or in a biological source. Immunoassays are valuable tools used in biopharmaceutical
research and development, including vaccines and gene and cell therapy.
Food testing
Environmental monitoring
• Inexpensive
• Accurate
• Capable of detecting low levels of molecules
• Useable for a wide range of compounds and applications
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