The complete ELISA guide
Everything you need to know to perform your ELISA experiments in one convenient guide.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely established technology for detecting antigens in samples. It works in a microplate, where antibodies bind to your target and an enzyme generates a color change that reflects the amount of analyte present.
Most ELISAs use HRP or AP enzymes and are run in 96‑ or 384‑well plates. Because the wells bind proteins easily, we use blocking buffers to prevent unwanted binding and washing steps to keep the background low. A stop solution fixes the final color so you can read the results with confidence.
There are several ELISA formats. Direct and indirect ELISAs are quick and useful for general detection. Sandwich ELISAs offer the highest sensitivity by using two antibodies to capture and detect your analyte. Competitive ELISAs are ideal for small targets or when only one antibody is available. Your choice depends on what you’re measuring and the level of sensitivity you need.
You can build your own assay or use one of our kits, which include antibodies, buffers, substrates, and pre‑coated plates to speed up the process. Whatever you choose, we’re here to help you run your ELISA smoothly, from understanding the basics to troubleshooting and data analysis.
Whether you are considering setting up your own ELISA or using one of our ELISA kits, you will find all the information you need in here. Our complete guide to ELISA takes you from basic ELISA principles to protocols, analysis, and troubleshooting.
