A biochemical test that uses antibodies to detect and measure the concentration of specific substances (antigens) in biological samples. It exploits the highly specific binding between antibodies and their target molecules.
Formed from 'immuno-' (relating to immunity/antibodies) from Latin 'immunis' (exempt) and 'assay' from Old French 'essai' (trial/test). The term emerged in the 1960s as antibody-based detection methods were developed and refined.
Immunoassays are like molecular bloodhounds - they can find one specific molecule among millions of others with incredible precision! The same principle that protects you from disease (antibody-antigen recognition) is now used to detect everything from pregnancy hormones to illegal drugs.
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