The word "Fluoroimmunoassay" is often used in medical science to refer to a specific type of assay used to detect proteins or other biomolecules. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription, which breaks it down into its individual sounds: /flʊəɹəʊɪmjʊnoʊæseɪ/. This shows that the first syllable consists of the sound /fl/ followed by the vowel sound /ʊə/, while the second syllable has the sounds /ɹəʊɪm/ and /jʊnoʊ/. The final syllable is spelled /æseɪ/ and sounds like "essay".
A fluoroimmunoassay is a laboratory technique used in medical diagnostics that combines the principles of fluorescence and immunoassay. It involves the use of fluorescent-labeled antibodies to detect and quantify specific molecules or analytes in a sample.
In a fluoroimmunoassay, a known antigen or analyte is attached to a solid surface, such as the wall of a test tube or a microplate well. When a patient's sample is added to the surface, any specific antibodies present in the sample will bind to the antigen. Next, a fluorescent-labeled secondary antibody is added, which will bind to the previously formed antigen-antibody complex. The excess unbound antibodies are then washed away, leaving only the complex attached to the solid surface.
In order to measure the fluorescence, a specialized instrument called a fluorometer is used. The fluorometer emits a specific wavelength of light that excites the fluorochrome attached to the secondary antibody. The fluorochrome then emits a characteristic fluorescent signal, which is detected by the instrument. The intensity of the fluorescence is directly proportional to the amount of analyte present in the sample.
Fluoroimmunoassay offers high sensitivity and specificity, making it particularly useful for detecting low concentrations of analytes in clinical samples. It finds application in various fields of medicine, including the diagnosis of infectious diseases, measurement of hormones and drugs in patient samples, and monitoring therapeutic drug levels.
The word "Fluoroimmunoassay" is derived from the combination of three components: "Fluoro-", "immuno-", and "assay".
The prefix "fluoro-" comes from the Greek word "fluoros", meaning "flowing" or "flow", and in modern usage, it refers to fluorescence or fluorescent materials.
The term "immuno-" is derived from the Latin word "immunis", meaning "exempt" or "free". In the context of "fluoroimmunoassay", it specifically refers to immune or immunity-related elements.
The word "assay" comes from the Old French "assai", meaning "trial" or "test", which originated from the Late Latin "exagiare", meaning "to weigh out" or "examine".