A filtration double antibody radioimmunoassay that simplifies and semi-automates the isolation of immune precipitates

A semi-automation of fluid phase double antibody radioimmunoassay has been developed. The immune precipitate that was formed in 96-well microtitration plates was harvested and washed on microfibre filters using a Titertek cell harvester. A disc transfer system originally designed for use with the harvester was used as a quick and easy method of transferring the filter discs containing immune precipitate into vials for counting. The results of radioimmunoassay using the microtitration plate-filtration and conventional tube-centrifugation method are essentially identical. The microtitration plate-filtration radioimmunoassay has the following advantages over the conventional tube-centrifugation method: (1) there is no centrifugation required; (2) handling of microtitration plate is easier than the tubes in racks; and (3) it requires much less time to perform the assay.