Time-Resolved Fluorometric Immunoassays; Instrumentation, Applications, Unresolved Issues and Future Trends

Abstract

Lanthanide, due to their unique luminescent properties, has provided a new tool to make sensitive and robust assay technologies. The long decay time in millisecond time domain allows very easy and efficient temporal gating to get clean and sensitive readings. The various chelate labels and assay technologies developed are reviewed here. Standardization of immunological assays is a major problem in diagnostics, and is addressed in time-resolved immunoassays with ability to create clean signals and standardized readings. The most recent applications of the technologies in preventive screening are given.