Immunoassay Terminology Immunology Review 390
TERM EXPLANATION
Ligand Substance being measured in immunoassay. Can be ag or ab.
Isotopic Immunoassay that uses radioisotope as label. Rarely used today.
Nonisotopic Immunoassay that uses something other than radioisotope as label, e.g., enzyme, fluorochrome, chemiluminescent
molecule.
Competitive Immunoassay in which patient ag & labeled reagent ag compete for binding sites on reagent ab.
Noncompetitive Immunoassay that doesn’t involve competition for binding sites. More sensitive than competitive assays.
Heterogeneous Immunoassay with separation step to remove free from bound analyte. More sensitive than homogeneous assays.
Homogeneous Immunoassay that doesn’t require separation step. Easier to automate.
