Features To Look For In ELISA Test Kits

By Annabelle Holman


Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay is a procedure in biochemistry that is utilized to determine whether there are antibodies or antigens in a sample. For several years this procedure has been used as a tool for diagnosis in medicine and pathology. There are ELISA test kits that are meant to use for fertility, cancer, steroid, allergies, parasitology, diabetes, thyroid as well infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Before buying ELISA units you have to guarantee they meet a few prerequisites. You have to get the right test arrangement. It is crucial to have the right compartments and additionally the design for your analysis should be good. There are many formats to choose from when you are getting started on your project.

One of the most common formats is referred to as sandwich assay. It is named so because there are two different antibodies that sandwich the antigen. This format is popular because it is robust and sensitive. There are many times when this format is not appropriate especially if the antigen is small. It is difficult to attach antibodies which are bulky to a small antigen.

The type of antibodies you are working with are also put into consideration. In ELISAs you can use both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. There are cases that call for a combination of both. When choosing antibodies there are several factors to look at. For capture it is advisable to use the polyclonal antibodies and the monoclonal antibodies for the detection process. If you follow this tip you should be able to capture all the antigens and then use monoclonal antibodies to identify some specific antigens.

You need to make sure that the capture and detection antibodies are matching. The two should not compete for the same site on the antigen. Instead they should recognize varying epitopes on the antigen. Your results will be skewed if you do not ensure there is no interference. There are ways of ensuring this does not happen. The most recommended way is to get a pair that is already matched from the supplier. You can use the internet to find antibody suppliers.

An alternate component to consider is cross reactivity. In the event that antibodies on the creature are good this could result in cross reactivity. It is not difficult to get antibodies for the creature that you are concerned with. You ought to dependably note if the cross reactivity is a problem. If you choose the sandwich format it is vital to match the essential location antibodies with the auxiliary ones that are utilized for identification.

You should find out the washing as well as the blocking buffers. At times you might find a compound that will affect interaction of antigens and antibodies. You should consider detection as well. Binding can be detected using several methods. Find a kit that has the kind of detection you would like.

If you want to know more about these features you can request details from representatives from the companies that sell the kits. They will be glad to inform you more about them and how to use them. The internet is also a source of information.




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