Sequential injection immunoassay utilizing immunomagnetic beads.

A novel sequential injection immunoassay (SIIA) method is described which utilizes immunomagnetic beads to investigate short-time antibody binding. The method is versatile and flexible and may therefore be adapted to many different applications. Initial results for a competitive assay are also presented. The immunomagnetic bead reactor is created within the flowing stream by retaining immunomagnetic beads with an electromagnet to form an open tube reactor. Thus, the spent beads may be discharged after each analysis. This eliminates the problems of instability of reaction surfaces and eliminates the need for additional time traditionally required for regeneration of the solid-reacting phase in order to not only save time and increase sampling frequency but also to provide each individual sampling cycle with a fresh, uniform portion of beads. The spent beads are collected off line and may be regenerated later. Short-time binding kinetic studies demonstrate linear initial binding under 1 min, which then begins to reach saturation in approximately 10 min. Competitive binding assays of monoclonal mouse IgG (MRC OX-19) to polyclonal sheep anti-mouse IgG immobilized to the immunomagnetic beads show reproducible linear displacement in 30-120-s reactions. Fluorescence detection is utilized with a detection limit of 155 ng/mL, and since the reaction time is typically 2 min or shorter, the sampling frequency is 30 samples/h.