A novel assay for influenza virus quantification using surface plasmon resonance.

Quantification of hemagglutinin (HA) by single-radial immuno diffusion (SRID) is the predominant method to ensure product potency in seasonal influenza vaccines. Here a new method for quantification of influenza virus using biosensor technology is presented. The method employs quantification of virus via an inhibition assay format using HA proteins for H1N1, H3N2 and B immobilized on a sensor chip. Initial results showed the assay to have higher sensitivity (detection range 0.5-10 microg/ml), higher precision and significantly lower analysis and hands on time compared with SRID.