When discussing immunoassays and the different options in the field, it is wise to embark on the heart of the matter; the way an immunoassay functions. The immunoassays we develop verify the presence of a specific marker in the clinical specimen by using antibodies and antigens. By setting up the right composition a reaction is triggered. In short, any reaction indicates the presence of a specific substance. If there is no reaction, the marker for which the test is created is not identifiable in the specimen.
A biomarker can be measured in different kinds of immunoassays. Although the outcome is similar, the method and technology behind the test may differ entirely. To illustrate this, we will discuss several assay models in the following section.