Unconjugated secondary antibodies are antibodies that have not been chemically linked to a detectable agent such as a fluorophore or enzyme. They are commonly used in immunoassays to detect the presence or amount of a specific antigen in a sample.
There are several advantages to using unconjugated secondary antibodies:
Flexibility
Unconjugated secondary antibodies can be used in a variety of detection systems. This allows researchers to choose the most appropriate detection method for their specific needs.
Multiplexing
Unconjugated secondary antibodies can be used in combination with different detectable agents, enabling researchers to detect multiple antigens in a single sample. This is known as multiplexing.
Sensitivity
Unconjugated secondary antibodies can often provide more sensitive detection of antigens compared to conjugated secondary antibodies.
Cost
Unconjugated secondary antibodies are generally less expensive than conjugated secondary antibodies.
Overall, unconjugated secondary antibodies offer researchers a flexible and cost-effective option for detecting specific antigens in a variety of applications.