Definition
noun
A quantitative immunodiffusion technique used to detect the level of protein (antigen) in a sample by measuring the diameter of the ring of precipitin formed by the complex of the protein (antigen) and the antiserum (antibody).
Supplement
The procedure involves placing of a solution of protein (antigen) into a well cut into an agarose gel containing the evenly distributed antiserum (antibody). As the protein (antigen) diffuses out of the well, it complexes with the antiserum (antibody) and forms a precipitin ring, the diameter of which is proportional to the quantity of the protein (antigen) in the well.
Compared with microbial diffusion assays, this technique is less precise as it gives a rather relatively insensitive estimation of the concentration of antigen. However, it has the advantage of specificity. Thus, it can be applied when sensitivity is not required but specificity is, and antibody is plentiful. It is commonly used in clinically detecting levels of blood proteins in a patient.
See also: antigen.
Dictionary > Radial immunodiffusion
You will also like...

DNA Structure & DNA Replication
DNA is a double helix structure comprised of nucleotides. A nucleotide, in turn, is made up of phosphate molecule, deoxy..

Darwin and Natural Selection
This tutorial investigates the genetic diversity in more detail. It also delineates how certain alleles are favored over..

Protein Variety
The sequence of amino acids determines the type of protein. Protein is synthesized according to the sequence of nucleoti..

New Zealand’s Biodiversity
Find out more about New Zealand's unique biodiversity by exploring a range of different ecosystems and the key role of s..

Still Water Animals
Animals living in aquatic habitats have diversified and evolved through time. They eventually occupy ecological niches a..

Adaptive Radiation
The diversification of several new species from a recent ancestral source, each adapted to utilize or occupy a vacant ad..