A ligand-binding assay that uses a specific antigen or antibody, capable of binding to the analyte, to identify and quantify substances. The antibody can be linked to a radiosotope (radioimmunoassay,
RIA), or to an enzyme which catalyses an easily monitored reaction (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,
ELISA), or to a highly fluorescent compound by which the location of an antigen can be visualized (immunofluorescene).
Sources:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 157 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)
PAC, 1994, 66, 2513. 'Nomenclature for radioanalytical chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 2520 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466122513)