A linear method for determining specific activity of tracers in radioimmunoassays.

Abstract

I describe a rapid and objective method for graphically determining specific activity of radioactive tracers by self-displacement. Two sets of results are plotted on the same graph: total/bound counts vs concentration of unlabeled analyte (for the standard curve results) or quantity of radioactivity (for tracer self-displacement results). Because these plots are linear, not only are the difficulties of curve fitting and the need for numerous data points avoided, but also how well the data fit the lines can be assessed by calculating the standard deviation of the slope of the lines. This method minimizes uncertainty between data points, allows easier interpolation, and often yields more precise results than do previously published procedures.