What is the principle of IRMA?
In IRMA, two different antibodies, capable of binding simultaneously to the analyte are used. One of these is immobilized on a solid support and serves to effectively extract the analyte from the sample. The second antibody is radiolabelled and serves to convert the extracted antigen into a radioactive product. As the complex is attached to the solid support, the free radiolabelled antibody in the solution can be easily separated out from that bound to the analyte. Amount of the radioactivity separated is compared with values of known analyte standards and the concentration of analyte present in the sample is calculated.
