Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a commonly used laboratory technique for detecting and quantifying various molecules, such as proteins, peptides, antibodies, and hormones. It is widely used in various fields, including clinical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and research.
The history of ELISA dates back to the 1960s when Peter Perlmann and Eva Engvall developed a technique for detecting antibodies. They used an enzyme-labeled antibody to detect the presence of an antigen. In the 1970s, two separate groups, one led by George N. Broughton and another by Anton Schuurs and Bauke van Weemen, developed the sandwich ELISA, which is the most commonly used form of ELISA today. The sandwich ELISA technique involves capturing the antigen between two antibodies, one labeled with an enzyme and the other immobilized on a solid surface.
ELISA kits are now available for a wide range of applications. They are used in clinical diagnostics for detecting and monitoring diseases, including infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. ELISA kits are also used in drug discovery and development for screening potential drug targets and evaluating the efficacy of new drugs.
The ELISA technique is simple, sensitive, and can be used to detect a wide range of molecules. The technique involves immobilizing the target molecule on a solid surface, such as a microplate, and then adding a specific enzyme-labeled antibody that binds to the target molecule. After incubation and washing, a substrate is added, and the enzyme-catalyzed reaction produces a signal that can be detected and quantified.
ELISA kits come in different formats, including direct, indirect, competitive, and sandwich ELISAs. Direct ELISA kits detect the target molecule directly using an enzyme-labeled antibody. Indirect ELISA kits use a primary antibody to capture the target molecule and a secondary enzyme-labeled antibody to detect the primary antibody. Competitive ELISA kits measure the competition between a labeled and unlabeled antigen for binding to a specific antibody. Sandwich ELISA kits use two specific antibodies, one immobilized on a solid surface and the other labeled with an enzyme, to capture and detect the target molecule.
In summary, ELISA is a widely used laboratory technique that has revolutionized clinical diagnostics and drug development. The technique is based on the principles of antigen-antibody interactions and enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and it is simple, sensitive, and versatile. With the development of more advanced ELISA kits, the future of diagnostics and drug development looks promising.
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