Continuous weak-affinity immunosensing.

A multitude of weak biological interactions, either working alone or in concert, occur frequently throughout biological systems. We have used this natural feature of readily reversible interactions as the basis for continuous immunosensing. In a model system, a set of weak monoclonal antibodies directed towards a carbohydrate epitope was studied with the aid of surface plasmon resonance. Because the system requires no regeneration, it can be used as a truly on-line immunosensing device. This principle should have wide application in all areas where there is a need for the continuous evaluation of a molecule.