What is RIA?
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a sensitive and quantitative method used to measure the concentration of antigens in vitro. It is first development in 1950s[1]. Nanomolar and picomolar concentrations of hormones in biological fluids can be detected by RIA. It is the first immunoassay technique to analyze small amounts of analyte.
What is the principle of RIA?
RIA is performed by using antibody-antigen binding and radioactive antigen. The basic principle of RIA is competitive binding reaction, where the analyte (for example, antigen) competes with radio-labeled antigen for binding to the fixed antibody or the binding sites of receptor. Binding of the unlabeled antigen to the fixed and limiting amount of antibody causes displacement of radio-labeled antigen and results in decreasing the radioactivity of antigen-antibody complex.
What is RIA applied to?
This assay is highly sensitive and can quantify tiny amounts of analyte level with the help of antibodies. The increasing usage of RIA in biopharmaceutical industries has led to an increased demand of this technique. Creative Proteomics with experienced staffs provides RIA for pharmacokinetics analysis to ensure quality and safety.
[1] Insulin-I131 Metabolism in Human Subjects: Demonstration of Insulin Binding Globulin in the Circulation of Insulin Treated Subjects. BERSON SA, J Clin Invest., 1956, 35(2).
