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).
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143
(Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992))
on page 157
PAC, 1994, 66, 2513
(Nomenclature for radioanalytical chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 2520