biotinactivated

Biotinactivated is a term that typically refers to a process or state where biotin has been chemically modified or conjugated to another molecule for a specific purpose. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes. Its unique binding affinity to avidin and streptavidin makes it a valuable tool in molecular biology and biotechnology applications.

In the context of "biotinactivated," the biotin molecule is usually attached to a target substance, such as an antibody, protein, nucleic acid, or nanoparticle. This attachment, or activation, allows for subsequent detection or purification using avidin or streptavidin. The avidin-biotin complex is one of the strongest non-covalent interactions known in biology, with an extremely high binding affinity. This strong interaction forms the basis of many sensitive detection assays.

Biotinactivated reagents are widely used in techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and affinity chromatography. For example, a biotinactivated antibody can be used to capture and detect a specific antigen. After the antibody binds to its target, avidin or streptavidin conjugated to a reporter enzyme or fluorescent molecule is added, which then binds to the biotin on the antibody. This allows for the visualization or quantification of the antigen. The term "biotinactivated" thus signifies a prepared molecule ready for its role in these biochemical detection and purification systems.