In electroimmunoassay electrophoresis, the antiserum is mixed in the gel during preparation. In the electrophoresis of the serum sample, the voltage drives the sample antigen into the antiserum creating a precipitin line in the shape of a rocket. This line is proportional to the concentration of the antigen, which is the protein to be detected. Each gel contains several serum samples, one antibody suspended in the gel, and standards of known concentration of antigen. Quantitation of the unknown antigen is derived from the height of the sample rockets compared to the height of the standard rockets. Electroimmunoassay electrophoresis is often referred to as rocket electrophoresis.
