Applications and recent developments in the use of antibodies for analysis

There are many compounds that require analysis ranging from pesticide levels in corn to disease markers in human patients. There are copious challenges to be met when measuring analytes such as the matrix in which they are to be determined, the amounts present, the cost and the rapidity of the result required. Enzyme immunoassays, immunoaffinity chromatography, immunomagnetic polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry and immunobiological biosensors have all characteristics that can enhance analytical techniques. Antibody-based methods have found applications in a large number of diverse areas such as food and water analysis, clinical diagnosis and therapeutics The structure and modes of production of antibodies and antibody-based derivatives is described and their applications in analysis critically examined.