Which assay is specifically designed to measure the effectiveness of a treatment on a biological target?

The assay specifically designed to measure the effectiveness of a treatment on a biological target is known as an activity assay. This type of assay evaluates the biological effect or functional performance of a drug or treatment in relation to its intended target. It provides insights into how effectively a therapeutic agent interacts with its biological target and elicits a desired response, which is critical in determining the drug's efficacy.

Activity assays can be designed for various types of biological targets, including proteins, enzymes, receptors, and cells. They often involve measuring the response generated by the target when exposed to the treatment, allowing researchers to assess not just the presence of the drug but its actual impact on the biological system.

While potency assays focus on the concentration of a drug required to produce a certain effect, activity assays provide a broader view of the treatment’s effectiveness by measuring the actual response elicited. Concentration assays typically measure how much of a substance is present, while purity assays evaluate the level of contaminating substances in a sample. These other types of assays serve different purposes and do not specifically assess the effectiveness of a treatment on a biological target.