Diagnostic reagents are essential components of diagnostic tests used in medical settings to detect specific analytes or markers in biological samples. These reagents encompass a range of types, including chemical, immunological, nucleic acid, microbiological, and molecular probes. Chemical reagents undergo reactions with analytes to produce detectable signals, while immunological reagents rely on antigen-antibody interactions. Nucleic acid reagents detect DNA or RNA, microbiological reagents culture and identify microorganisms, and molecular probes label target molecules for visualization.
Diagnostic reagents play a role in diagnostics. They are utilized across various lab settings and R&D facilities. Reagents provide sensitivity, specificity, and reliability in detecting target analytes. Additionally, control reagents ensure the accuracy and validity of diagnostic assays by serving as positive and negative controls, calibrators, and quality control materials.