Gold nanoparticle antibody conjugates for use in competitive lateral flow assays.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are widely used in a variety of biomedical diagnostic assays and for imaging. Their popularity stems from key properties such as their low toxicity and high extinction coefficients, as well as straightforward synthesis methods that allow GNPs to be produced quickly and inexpensively. Here we describe the use of GNPs for visual detection in a lateral flow assay using benzodiazepine affinity assay to illustrate the methods.