Assay
Assay — A qualitative or quantitative analytical procedure used to determine the presence, amount, or activity of a target substance in a sample.
What Is an Assay?
An assay is any analytical or biological procedure used to measure a property of a peptide: identity, purity, potency, concentration, stability, or biological activity. Peptide research relies on dozens of assay types spanning analytical chemistry (HPLC, MS), biophysics (SPR, CD), and biology (cell-based, animal models).
Assay Categories
- Identity: MS molecular weight confirmation, AAA composition
- Purity: RP-HPLC area percent, SEC for aggregates
- Potency: Bioassay with dose-response curve
- Content: UV spectrophotometry, AAA
- Safety: Endotoxin, sterility, residual solvents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Assay?
A qualitative or quantitative analytical procedure used to determine the presence, amount, or activity of a target substance in a sample.
Why is Assay important in peptide research?
Assay is a fundamental concept in analytical as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.