FI971626A - Method for extending the dynamics of a bioaffinity assay - Google Patents

Abstract

The novel method according to this invention can be used to extend the measuring range of a one-step bioaffinity determination to higher analyte contents by following the signal intensity of the bioaffinity reaction using kinetic measurement. In this way, it is possible to obtain information about the concentration of the analyte before the reaction has progressed even to the vicinity of the maximum of the signal response, or to the state where the binding capacity of the reagent is no longer adequate. The rate of increase in the signal intensity is proportional to the analyte content and, on the basis of this rate of increase, it is already possible, in the initial phase of the reaction, to predict the analyte content approximately. In particular, it is possible to predict whether the content of analyte is higher than the Ab binding ability of the reagent, i.e. whether the reaction will proceed beyond the maximum value. As a result it is possible, without there being any risk of obtaining erroneous results, to measure higher analyte contents than is the case using customary measurement methods. The measurement range of the system can consequently also be enlarged remarkably. For example, using the method according to the invention, the normal dynamic, comprising 3 decades, can be extended to a dynamic comprising up to 5-6 decades.