How does immunoassay stabilizer work?

Proteins in aqueous solution depend upon interaction with water molecules to hold their shape. Removing the water forces the protein to change its conformation in order to attain a low molecular energy state. This causes previously functional epitopes to be rendered immunologically unrecognizable. Immunoassay Stabilizer essentially replaces the water as the protein is dried allowing the protein to retain much of its fully hydrated structure and function.