Binding of hydrophobic antigens to surfaces

A first aspect of the present invention is a method of detecting antibodies comprising the steps of: i) providing a first group of beads comprising a surface modified with C1-C10 alkyl groups comprising amine, ammonium, ether and/or hydroxyl groups, ii) contacting said first group of beads with a first hydrophobic antigen to provide a first group of bead-antigen conjugates by adsorption of the first hydrophobic antigen on the first group of beads, iii) isolating said bead- antigen conjugates, iv) contacting said bead-antigen conjugates with a sample to bind antibodies therein to provide bead-antigen-antibody conjugates, and v) detecting said bead-antigen-antibody conjugates. Further aspects include an antibody detection kit, a bead-antigen conjugate and a composition comprising at least two different groups of bead-antigen-conjugates.