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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
The radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a sensitive technique used to detect the presence of antigen in a sample using radiolabelled antibodies. Developed in the 1960's, the RIA proved a powerful tool in antigen detection, although the procedure was soon overtaken by ELISA, which utilises enzymes rather than radioactive labels. RIAs are still used today however, to measure:
The radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a sensitive technique used to detect the presence of antigen in a sample using radiolabelled antibodies. Developed in the 1960's, the RIA proved a powerful tool in antigen detection, although the procedure was soon overtaken by ELISA, which utilises enzymes rather than radioactive labels. RIAs are still used today however, to measure:
**RIA used in this way has been employed in the detection of the hepatitis B surface antigen in donor blood, reducing the occurrence of hepatitis infections as a result of blood transfusions in humans
**RIA used in this way has been employed in the detection of the hepatitis B surface antigen in donor blood, reducing the occurrence of hepatitis infections as a result of blood transfusions in humans
*Measuring plasma levels of hormones and controlled substances
*Measuring plasma levels of hormones and controlled substances
*Measuring anti-DNA antibodies present in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
*Measuring anti-DNA antibodies present in [[SLE|systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)]]
=Drawbacks=
==Drawbacks==
Although the RIA is a very sensitive test, and therefore widely-used, there are disadvantages to its use:
Although the RIA is a very sensitive test, and therefore widely-used, there are disadvantages to its use:
*The substances being used are radioactive
*The substances being used are radioactive
*Iodine is naturally concentrated in the thyroid gland, whether radioactive or not, and incorporated into thyroxine
*Iodine is naturally concentrated in the thyroid gland, whether radioactive or not, and incorporated into thyroxine
Consequently, ELISA has largely overtaken RIA as a preferred diagnostic tool
Consequently, ELISA has largely overtaken RIA as a preferred diagnostic tool
{{review}}
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{{Jim Bee 2007}}
[[Category:Immunological Testing]]