Radial immunodiffusion

Definition

Radial immunodiffusion is an immunological technique used to quantify the concentration of antigens by measuring the radial diffusion of antigen-antibody complexes in a gel. It involves placing an antigen in a well within an agarose gel containing antibodies, forming precipitin rings whose size corresponds to the antigen concentration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Radial immunodiffusion is also known as the Mancini method.
2. The diameter of the precipitin ring formed is proportional to the concentration of the antigen in the sample.
3. It requires a specific antibody embedded uniformly in an agarose gel matrix.
4. The technique is commonly used for quantifying serum proteins and other soluble antigens.
5. Results are typically obtained after allowing diffusion and reaction for 18-24 hours.

Related terms

Ouchterlony Double Diffusion: A technique where both antigen and antibody diffuse into a gel to form lines of precipitation.

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): A plate-based assay technique designed for detecting and quantifying soluble substances such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, and hormones.

Western Blotting:

An analytical technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample through gel electrophoresis followed by transfer to a membrane and detection using antibodies.