37.2 Advantage
Advantage of RIA is its high sensitivity. It can measure up to few pictograms of
antigens. The specificity of the assay depends upon the specificity of antiserum.
37.3 Applications
Radioimmunoassay is used to estimate hormones and proteins possessing antigenic
properties. These days, applications of RIA have been extended for detection of
peptides, steroid hormones, drugs, neurotransmitters, antibodies, and structural
proteins. It is also important for blood bank screening for the hepatitis virus, early
cancer detection, measurement of growth hormone levels, and diagnosis and treat-
ment of peptic ulcers.
Fig. 37.1 Principle of RIA
152 37 To Perform Radioimmunoassay