Fluorescence and Immunodiagnostic Methods

6.12. Conclusion

In the past ten years, numerous applications of fluorescence methodsfor monitoring homogeneous and heterogeneous immunoassays have been reported. Advances in the design of fluorescent labels have prompted thedevelopment of various fluorescent immunoassay schemes such as the substrate-labeled fluorescent immunoassay and the fluorescence excitation transfer immunoassay. As sophisticated fluorescence instrumentation forlifetime measurement became available, the phase-resolved and time-resolved fluorescent immunoassays have also developed. With the current emphasis on satellite and physician’s office testing, future innovations in fluorescence immunoassay development will be expected to center on the implification of assay protocol and the development of solid-state miniaturized fluorescence readers for on-site testing.