RIA and IRMA Kits (CE marked)
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a competitive-binding immunoassay. An unknown quantity of antigen in test samples competes with a fixed concentration of radiolabelled antigen in binding to a fixed amount of antibody. Known concentrations of unlabelled antigen are included in the assay to construct a standard calibration curve from which the concentration of antigen in test samples can be calculated.
An immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) differs from RIA in that the radiolabelled ragent is used in excess and does not compete with unlabelled reagent. For the measurement of antigen, specific antibodies are typically coated on beads or on the inside surface of plastic tubes or wells and the solution containing the test antigen is added. After washing to remove unbound antigen, an excess of radiolabelled antibody specific to a different epitope is added. After washing to remove unbound labelled antibody, the radiolabel is measured to quantify the bound antigen.