Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) Instruments Maintenance Management, Support, and Repair
How it works
Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay is a process that uses labels designed to emit light when electrochemically stimulated. Light generation occurs when low voltage is applied to an electrode, triggering a cyclical oxidation and reduction reaction of a heavy metal ion, such as ruthenium. The heavy metal ion is bound in a chelate of tris-bipyridine (i.e., Ru(bpy) 3 2 +). A second reaction component is an electron carrier, such as tripropylamine (TPA), which mediates the redox reaction. Because the metal chelate is recycled and the carrier is present in excess, the signal generated from the assay is intensified. The luminescent reaction is triggered upon application of an electric potential. Electrochemiluminescent assays use paramagnetic beads in which biotinylated serotype-specific antibodies are bound to streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads. The beads act as the solid support and capture the analyte from the solution. An automatic sample delivery system aspirates a volume of each reaction mixture and pumps it into a flow cell. As the sample is pumped through the cell the magnetic beads are captured by a magnet onto an electrode which delivers the required electric potential. The light subsequently emitted is measured in a photomultiplier tube and digitally recorded. The cell is then washed and readied for the next assay. ECL has proven to be a highly selective process and compared to other immunoassay methods much more sensitive allowing detection of certain substances down to picomolar range.
KD Analytical supports ECL Instruments
KD Analytical offers a suite of services for ECL instruments (as well many other analytical instruments) that can save you money and time and help you to guarantee the readiness of your equipment and team.