Discuss the types of labels used in immunoassays: radiolabels, enzymes, fluorescence.

Analytical Chemistry III

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the principles, design, operation and applications of immunoassays

2. Understand the basic principles and applications of automation in the laboratory

3. Understand the general principles, operation and applications of electroanalytical methods.

1.1. Understand the principles of immunoassays

1.2. Discuss the types of labels used in immunoassays: radiolabels, enzymes, fluorescence.

1.3. Discuss the different separation techniques used to separate bound analyte from free: dextran-coated charcoal, second antibody, immobilisation

1.4. Understand the practical aspects of immunoassays including: preparation of hapten-carrier conjugates, immunisation, antibody detection, antibody titres, alibration, matrix effects

1.5. Discuss the shape and precision of standard calibration curves, including precision profiles

1.6. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of immunoassays in terms of time, sensitivity, selectivity etc.

1.7. Discuss the factors involved in developing an immunoassay

1.8. Discuss the use of affinity chromatography as an immunoassay.

1.9. Discuss immobilisation and elution techniques used with affinity chromatography

1.10. Briefly discuss possible future directions for immunoassay

2.1. Discuss the processes occurring in an analysis that may have automation possibility

2.2. Discuss the difference between discrete analysers and continuous flow analysers

2.3. Understand the principles of flow injection analysis (FIA)

2.4. Draw a simple schematic of an FIA system

2.5. Discuss the effects of convection and diffusion on the concentration profile of analytes

2.6. Discuss applications of FIA including limited-dispersion and medium-dispersion applications, stopped-flow methods and flowinjection titrations