Combining immunoassays with chromatographic and electrophoretic separation techniques — a review

The combination of immunoassays with separation techniques such as chromatography and electrophoresis can provide both selectivity and sensitivity that is competitive with any method currently available for molecular analysis. Immunoassays can be carried out on-line and off-line, pre and post separation. The on-line post separation mode is the most promising for routine analysis because of the high throughput that can be achieved but also provides the greatest challenge with regard to compatibility of the interfaced systems. This paper reviews the various approaches that have been researched from a practical immunochemical point of view with emphasis on the special problems incurred with matrix compatibility for on-line post separation systems.