Fluorescence Assay in Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Methods for quantitative fluorescent analysis reemphasize the dependence of scientific advances on technologic development. The techniques of fluorescent assay are versatile and relatively simple. Their sensitivity is comparable to that of radioactive assay methods, making possible the detection of trace amounts of many substances. This volume is a remarkably complete summary of a rapidly advancing field. A refreshing introduction reviews the relationship of physicists and biologists to the development of techniques for fluorescent assay and is followed by an essentially nonmathematical treatment of luminescence and fluorescence. Sections on instrumentation are detailed. The ultrasensitivity of fluorescence analysis leads to problems of contamination, self-absorption, and quantitative recovery similar to those with radioactive isotopes. These problems are carefully delineated by the author. Specific applications of fluorescent measurement constitute the bulk of the book. Of particular interest are methods for assay of antibiotics such as griseofulvin and the tetracyclines, catecholamines, plus fluorescent microscopy and