How does Lateral Flow Testing work?
In short
A lateral flow test moves a liquid sample along a membrane by capillary action. Labelled antibodies bind the target and are captured at a test line, producing a visible signal within minutes — no instrument required.
The sample is applied to a pad and wicks along the strip. It rehydrates labelled antibodies (the conjugate) that bind the target as they travel.
At the test line, immobilised antibodies capture the target–conjugate complex and concentrate the label into a visible band. A control line confirms the test ran correctly.
More articles
Assay Development explained
How a test moves from feasibility through optimisation to a fully validated, robust assay.
GMP explained
The quality system that ensures every batch of a regulated product meets its specification.
LAL vs recombinant Factor C (rFC)
The traditional horseshoe-crab test compared with the sustainable, animal-free synthetic alternative.
Sensitivity vs Specificity
The two measures that describe how trustworthy a diagnostic result really is.
What is an ELISA?
The plate-based immunoassay that quantifies proteins, antibodies and hormones with a colour change.