ABSTRACT
There are a number of biospecific couples which form hybrids or supramolecules via their bioaffinity. The couples include antibody/ antigen, DNA double strand, sequence-specific DNA/DNA-binding protein, sequence-specific peptide/peptide-binding protein, etc. When either component of the couple is immobilized on latex particles, the hybrid particles thus obtained are referred to as “affinity latex.” Affinity latex can catch only its complementary “target” molecule onto the particles from a mixture of biomolecules such as miscellaneous proteins and DNAs. Therefore, it contributes to bioassay and diagnosis if the target molecule is concerned with any disease. This chapter deals with what the key points for designing affinity latex are, how to prepare affinity latex, and what the affinity latex can do.
