Competitive binding assay
Definition
An immunoassay format in which labelled and unlabelled forms of the same analyte compete for a fixed, limiting number of antibody binding sites. As unlabelled analyte concentration rises, the proportion of labelled analyte bound falls. The signal is inversely proportional to analyte concentration.
Related terms
- Calibration curve
- In RIA, a set of standards containing known concentrations of unlabelled analyte that are run alongside test samples. Bound radioactivity is measured...
- Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)
- A non-radioactive immunoassay that uses enzyme-catalysed chemiluminescent reactions to generate the detection signal. CLIA instruments measure light output in relative light units....
- Cross-reactivity
- The capacity of an antibody raised against one analyte to bind structurally related compounds. In RIA, cross-reactivity is the main driver of...
- Iodine-125 (125I)
- The radioisotope most commonly used in RIA. It emits gamma radiation, has a half-life of approximately 60 days, and can be covalently...
- Tritium (3H)
- A radioactive hydrogen isotope used as an alternative label in RIA, particularly for small organic molecules such as steroids and drugs where...
Explained in
- Radioimmunoassay: Principles, Uses, and DeclineAn immunoassay format in which labelled and unlabelled forms of the same analyte compete for a fixed, limiting number of antibody binding sites. As unlabelled...