Immunosuppressant drug

Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) is a type of radioimmunoassay that uses radioactive isotopes to measure the concentration of specific antigens in a sample. It is a highly sensitive and specific method used in clinical laboratories for the detection and quantification of a wide range of substances, including hormones, drugs, and proteins.

History

The concept of IRMA was first introduced in the 1970s as an improvement over the existing radioimmunoassay techniques. The development of IRMA was a significant advancement in the field of immunoassay technology, providing a more accurate and reliable method for measuring antigen concentrations.

Principle

IRMA is based on the principle of immunochemistry, which involves the interaction between an antigen and its corresponding antibody. In IRMA, the antigen from the sample is sandwiched between two antibodies. One of these antibodies is labeled with a radioactive isotope, which allows for the detection and quantification of the antigen.

Procedure

The procedure for an IRMA involves several steps. First, a sample is mixed with a known amount of radiolabeled antibody. This mixture is then incubated to allow the antigen and antibody to bind. After incubation, a second antibody is added to the mixture. This second antibody, which is attached to a solid phase, binds to the antigen-antibody complex, forming a "sandwich". The unbound materials are then washed away, and the amount of radioactivity is measured. The amount of radioactivity is directly proportional to the concentration of the antigen in the sample.

Applications

IRMA is used in a variety of applications, including the detection and quantification of hormones, drugs, and proteins. It is particularly useful in the field of endocrinology, where it is used to measure hormone levels in the blood. Other applications include the detection of drug levels in the blood, the diagnosis of certain diseases, and the monitoring of disease progression.

Advantages and Disadvantages

One of the main advantages of IRMA is its high sensitivity and specificity. It is capable of detecting very low concentrations of antigens, making it a valuable tool in clinical diagnostics. However, IRMA also has some disadvantages. The use of radioactive isotopes requires special handling and disposal procedures, and the assay can be time-consuming and expensive to perform.

See Also

• Radioimmunoassay
• Immunoassay
• Endocrinology

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