UniCel DxI Reference Manual 1.
2: Assay Technology
1.2 Assay Technology
An immunoassay is an analytical method that uses antigen-antibody reactions to
detect or measure a specific antigen or antibody (analyte) in a sample of body fluid,
such as serum or plasma.
Access Immunoassay System assays employ paramagnetic particles in the solid phase
of the assay, and an enzyme-mediated chemiluminescent reaction in the detection
phase. The solid phase and detection technologies allow measurement of a broad
range of analytes.
Immunoassays use a variety of assay formats to measure or detect analyte in samples.
The most common formats are:
• Competitive binding
• Sandwich
• Antibody detection
The type of assay format used depends on the analyte being measured.
In general, assay formats use reagents that include:
• An enzyme-labeled antigen or antibody (conjugate)
• Coated paramagnetic particles
• Other assay-specific reagents (such as antigens or antibodies specific for the
analyte being detected, stripping agents, and buffered protein solutions)
Analyte in the sample reacts with the conjugate and assay-specific reagents to form
immune complexes that bind to the paramagnetic particles. A magnetic field separates
the particle-bound complexes from the unbound components, and washing removes
the unbound components from the system.
In the detection phase, a chemiluminescent substrate is added to the paramagnetic
particles. The substrate reacts with the enzyme label present in the bound immune
complexes and releases light. The luminometer measures the light output and the
system software calculates a test result.
The total assay time depends on the incubation time and number of wash cycles
defined in the assay protocol file (APF). Assays are optimized for rapid time to first
result. Most tests are completed in 15-30 minutes. The UniCel DxI 800 system can
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