A DESCRIPTIVE MODEL FOR THE KINETICS OF A HOMOGENEOUS FLUOROMETRIC IMMUNOASSAY

A descriptive mathematical model was chosen to fit the antigen-antibod y association kinetics of a new homogeneous immunometric assay for pro lactin, involving time-resolved fluorescence detection (TRACE(R) techn ology, Time Resolved Amplified Cryptate Emission). We paid special att ention to the methodology and criteria applied, to yield a convenient and statistically valid model, designed to allow potential exploitatio n of kinetic information in the data processing of the assay. We compa red specific parameterizations of an hyperbolic model, the Gompertz, a nd the monomolecular models on the basis of morphological consideratio ns, a statistical analysis of fit, and an assessment of the parameters estimation quality, over a wide range of antigen concentrations. The monomolecular model gave the best fit, and the most precise and stable estimation of its parameters. The study of parameter properties confi rmed this choice.