ELISA System / ELISA Workstation

When looking for the presence of a specific protein within a sample, an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) workstation is a good tool to use. ELISA systems are used for medical and botanical diagnostic tests and in industry for quality control. ELISA workstations use two main test types, the indirect ELISA and the sandwich ELISA. In the indirect method, the sample is run over a solid phase to which the antigen of the tested for protein will adhere. An antibody is then washed over the phase, allowing the antibodies to bind to the antigens. A secondary, enzyme-linked antibody is then added, which will interact with the primary antibody to signal where the protein is present. The sandwich method uses the same basic principle, but the sample is added to a plate where antibodies already are, then the secondary antibodies are added, thereby sandwiching the antigen between the two antibodies.

Key considerations for purchasing an ELISA system

There are several variables between ELISA systems, including how small of a sample may be used, how many sample plates it can hold at a time, and the sensitivity of the system.

Click on the links below to discover and compare ELISA systems from various manufacturers: