title: Ultrasensitive immunoassay techniques.
abstract: Ultrasensitive detection of clinically important substances using assays based on ligand:binder interactions has revolutionized laboratory medicine. Various strategies have been perfected to push the analytical sensitivity of ligand:binder assays (e.g., immunoassay, blotting, nucleic acid hybridization assay) into the attomole and zeptomole region (10(-18)-10(-21) mol). These include the use of labels with amplifying properties (e.g., enzymes), multiple labeling, and cascade reactions. In addition a wide range of ultrasensitive luminescent detection reactions have been developed for conventional enzyme labels based on chemiluminescent, bioluminescent, and time-resolved fluorescent reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kricka
mesh_terms: D000345:Affinity Labels; D001665:Binding Sites; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D008024:Ligands; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000345:Affinity Labels; D004798:Enzymes; D008024:Ligands