Liposome flow injection immunoassay: model calculations of competitive immunoreactions involving univalent and multivalent ligands

The use of liposomes as detectable reagents in solid-phase immunoassays has been explored in a flow injection immunoanalysis (FIIA) system. Model calculations are presented for FIIA based on the competitive binding of univalent analyte and multivalent liposomes to immobilized antibodies. Parameters such as binding constants, concentrations of liposomes and antibody, and steric hindrance are considered for their relative effects on detectable liposome signal response to analyte concentrations. Qualitative comparisons of the model with the experimental data are made.