Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of semisolid particles or cells that have been chemically derivatized resulting in hydrazide functionalities covalently incorporated onto cell surface membrane molecules of the semisolid particles or cells, as well as a method for determining the levels of hydrazide groups on the particles or cells. The method involves the preparation and analysis of red blood cells chemically derivatized in such a manner that hydrazide functionalities have been covalently incorporated onto the cell membrane molecules, the preparation of hydrazine derivatized cells and the use thereof of the novel cells in agglutination reactions to promote the attachment of antigens and antibodies to the hydrazine derivatized cells without loss of antibody activity or the blocking of the etitope of interest.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of semisolid particles or cells that have been chemically derivatized resulting in hydrazide functionalities covalently incorporated onto cell surface membrane molecules of the semisolid particles or cells, as well as a method for determining the levels of hydrazide groups on the particles or cells. The method involves the preparation and analysis of red blood cells chemically derivatized in such a manner that hydrazide functionalities have been covalently incorporated onto the cell membrane molecules, the preparation of hydrazine derivatized cells and the use of the novel cells in agglutination reactions to promote the attachment of antigens and antibodies to the hydrazine derivatized cells without loss of antibody activity or the blocking of the epitope of interest.