The Nobel Prize in Physiology 1977: A literature review of the Radioimmunoassay Technique

The first study about radioimmunoassay was published in 1960 by 2 scientists, who created this new method to quantify human insulin, at a time when studies on diabetes and its pathophysiology were beginning stand out. Years later, due strong relevance the scientific world, such work awarded Nobel Prize Physiology 1977. Thus, present aims expose historical context of discovery, initial diseases whose immunological origin still unknown, techniques their potential benefits effects for science. Therefore, narrative review literature carried out using PubMed, Scielo Google Scholar databases order find theoretical bases that underlie objective study. revealed through use radioisotopes insulin labeling antibodies from animals, it possible hormones low blood concentrations, based graphic proportion between free marked combined with antibodies. Such discovery important understand many diseases, although other hand presents risks because involves radioactive material is now disuse creation methods as ELISA. It concluded importance RIA, proved be worthy most renowned award world.