[Biophysical approach to the antigen-antibody reaction in solid phase immunoassay]

The main properties of solid/liquid interfaces are briefly considered before the weak chemical bonds involved in Ag-Ab interactions (hydrogen, electrostatic, Van Der Waals and hydrophobic bonds) are related in detail. The reversible nature of these non covalent bonds allows the discussion of the Ag-Ab reaction in the usual terms of chemical equilibrium the thermodynamic values associated with this equilibrium can be described. However, the complexity of the Ag-Ab reaction is strongly increased if Ag or Ab are bound to a solid phase. The modifications brought about by the solid phase are debated with the intention of understanding the physical and chemical parameters of the Ag-Ab reaction in solid phase immunoassays.