Use of synthetic particles as reagents in agglutionation reactions

摘要

Detecting an analyte in a liquid sample comprises contacting the sample with an agglutination reagent and an inert matrix, subjecting the reaction mixture to the effects of gravitation, and assaying the reaction between the analyte and the agglutination reagent. The agglutination reagent comprises synthetic particles with a diameter and density such that they behave like erythrocytes w.r.t. the matrix. Also claimed are synthetic particles with a mean diameter of 5 mu m or less and a density of 1.1 g/cc or more, on whose surface ligand molecules are immobilised.