A multitude of weak biological interactions, either working alone or in con
cert, occur frequently throughout biological systems. We have used this nat
ural feature of readily reversible interactions as the basis for continuous
immunosensing. In a model system, a set of weak monoclonal antibodies dire
cted towards a carbohydrate epitope was studied with the aid of surface pla
smon resonance. Because the system requires no regeneration, it can be used
as a truly on-line immunosensing device. This principle should have wide a
pplication in all areas where there is a need for the continuous evaluation
of a molecule.