What is an ELISA?
In short
An ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a plate-based test that uses antibodies coupled to an enzyme to detect and quantify a specific molecule. Binding of the target produces a measurable colour change proportional to its concentration.
In an ELISA, the target molecule is captured on a microplate by a specific antibody. A second, enzyme-labelled antibody then binds the target, and a substrate produces a colour whose intensity reflects the amount of target present.
Common formats include direct, indirect, sandwich and competitive ELISAs, each suited to different targets and sensitivity requirements.
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