Radioimmunoassay

Radioimmunoassay (pronunciation: /ˌreɪdioʊˌɪmjʊˈnoʊ.əˌseɪ/) is a sensitive method in laboratory medicine for measuring concentrations of substances, such as hormones, in the blood. The technique was first developed by Rosalyn Yalow and Solomon Berson in the 1950s.

Etymology

The term "Radioimmunoassay" is derived from the words "radio" (referring to radioactivity), "immune" (referring to the immune system's response), and "assay" (a procedure for measuring the biochemical or immunological activity of a sample).

Procedure

Radioimmunoassay involves the use of radioactive isotopes and antibodies to detect the presence and quantity of small molecules, peptides, or proteins. The procedure begins with the introduction of a radioactive antigen, followed by the addition of an antibody that binds to the antigen. A non-radioactive antigen is then added, which competes with the radioactive antigen for binding sites on the antibody. The amount of radioactivity is then measured, providing a quantitative analysis of the substance in question.

Related Terms

Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
Antibody: A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
Isotope: Each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.
Radioactivity: The emission of ionizing radiation or particles caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei.
Hormone: A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.

Applications

Radioimmunoassay is widely used in medicine, particularly in the fields of endocrinology and allergy testing. It is also used in drug testing, research, and other areas of biochemistry.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Radioimmunoassay
Wikipedia's article - Radioimmunoassay

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Radioimmunoassay