Synthesis of the Organometallic Tracers

For the immunoassay of haptens, which is of primary interest here, monoclonal antibodies have not been shown to be superior and polyclonal antibodies are stiU frequently used. 

In the great majority of examples of MIA, the organometaUic tracers used are molecules derived from the analyte to be assayed (structures shown in Table 8.1) to which an organometallic moiety has been attached. The analyte is normally a hapten (cf. definition above). 

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Since the subject of the immunoassay may not be familiar to readers whose interests are in the field of organometallic chemistry, we will begin this chapter with a brief overview of the prindple behind the immunoassay method before describing the synthesis of organometallic tracers and reviewing the various detection methods that have facilitated the creation of novel immunoassays. 

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