Examination of material in an artificial environment, for example radioimmunoassay in a test tube.

A bioassay is a medical test to measure, and quantify radionuclides in the body by direct (in vivo) or indirect (in vitro) analysis of tissues or excretions from the body.

See also Radioimmunoassay.

A radioassay is an in vitro test to detect hormones, drugs and medicines in smallest concentrations.

(RIA) A radioimmunoassay is an in vitro assay test in which very small quantities of hormones, drugs and other substances in blood, urine, etc. can be measured by using specific antibodies or antigens which have been labeled with radioactive tracers. Since the patient does not receive the radioactive material, there is no patient radiation exposure.
Radioimmunoassays are usually replaced by fluoroimmunoassay and enzymimmunoassay to avoid the use of radioactive materials.

See also Bioassay, Fluorescent Immunoassay, Protein Binding Assay, Radioassay, and Berson Salomon.