Non specific binding of radioligands question - (Nov/01/2011 )

I have a quick question. I'm having difficulty understanding why non specificity in ligand binding experiments is desired to be kept to a minimum. What are the disadvantages of having an experiment which results in high non specific radioligand binding?

thanks for your time

John

Ok well think about it, if you are using a radioligand to measure/detect/visualise a specific receptor- what use is it if it binds to something other than what you are interested in?

think "background" and signal to noise ratio