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Immunoassays combine the principles of chemistry and immunology enabling scientific tests, e.g. enzyme immunoassays and immunoblotting for a specific and sensitive detection of the analytes of interest. The basic princple of these assays is the specificity of the antibody-antigen reaction. Though being very specific and sensitive immunoassays are easy to perform which has contributed to the widespread use and tremendous success.In immunoblotting like the Western Blot of electrophoretically separated proteins a single one can be identified by its antibody.
RIAs (Radioimmunoassay) and enzyme immunoassays like ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), LIA (luminescent immunoassay), and FIA (fluorescent immunoassay) are widely used in research, drug discovery and diagnostics for highly specific and cost efficient detection of analytes not detectable with other techniques.
The antibodies – either used as primary or secondary ones – are labelled with radioisotopes (e.g. 125I), fluorescent dyes (e.g. FITC) or enzymes (e.g. HRP or AP) which catalyse fluorogenic or luminogenic reactions.
Applications for Immunoassays:
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Tumor Markers, e.g. AFP, CEA, hCG, PSA
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Cardiac Markers, e.g. CK-MB, CRP, Digoxin, Myoglobin
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Cell based Assays, e.g. cell cytotoxicity
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Allergy, e.g. histamines, egg, milk, allmonds
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Growth Deficiency, e.g. hGH
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Enzyme acivity
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Hormone and Steroid Screening, e.g. T4, fT3, TSH
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Drug Abuse Screening, e.g. amphetamines, cocaine, LSD
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Immunological Screening
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Infectious Diseases, e.g. Chlamydia, CMV, Hepatitis, Rubella
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Veterinary, e.g. bacterial infection, fertility, drugs, BSE
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Food and Beverages, e.g. pathogens, toxins
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Water Analysis, e.g. bacterial contamination, toxins, heavy metalls
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Agriculture, e.g. endotoxins, pesticides
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Environment, e.g. industrial chemicals, pesticides, surfactants
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