Immunoassays Manufacturers

Immunoassays are chemical tests used to detect or quantify a specific substance, the analyte, in a blood or body fluid sample using an immunological reaction. Immunoassays are highly sensitive and specific assays. Their high specificity results from the use of antibodies and purified antigens as reagents. An antibody is a protein produced by B lymphocytes in response to stimulation by an antigen. Immunoassays measure the formation of antibody-antigen complexes and detect them via an indicator reaction. This may be done by precipitation of the immune complexes and measurement of turbidity or light scattering or by labeling either the antibody or antigen with a radioactive tag, enzyme, fluorescent, or chemiluminescent molecule. High sensitivity is achieved by using an indicator system (e.g. enzyme label) that results in amplification of the measured product.