The aims of this new edition are the same as the first edition, ie: to link the fundamental aspects of immunoassay together with the principles of the major techniques in use today. The highly acclaimed first edition was recommended as 'an excellent comprehensive source of background knowledge ...and a constant source of reference'. This new edition again covers the basic principles before going on to describe all the latest developments in this rapidly developing field. Completely new chapters such as Alternative Binding Particles, Microfabricated optical, and Microfabricated electrochemical immunoassay, together with the complete updating of all the techniques bring the reader/researcher up to date with all immunoassays. Upwards of a dozen or so contributors, expert in their field, have contributed to individual chapters. Finally the editors consider what the prospects are for immunoassay techniques in the future.