Elisa
Elisa (ee-LIE-suh)
Elisa (pronounced ee-LIE-suh) is a common laboratory technique used to measure the concentration of substances in biological fluids. It stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
Etymology
The term "Elisa" is an acronym derived from the full name of the technique: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The name describes the technique's use of an enzyme to link an immune response to a measurable signal.
Definition
An Elisa is a type of biochemical assay that uses antibodies and an enzyme-mediated color change to detect the presence of either antigens (proteins that stimulate an immune response) or antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize antigens) in a sample.
Procedure
The Elisa procedure involves several steps:
- Coating: A protein (either an antigen or antibody) is applied to a plastic microtiter plate. This protein is then left to adhere to the plate overnight.
- Blocking: The remaining protein-binding sites on the plate are blocked to prevent nonspecific binding.
- Addition of Sample: The sample to be tested is added to the plate. If the target substance is present in the sample, it will bind to the protein on the plate.
- Addition of Enzyme-Linked Antibody: An antibody that is specific to the target substance and linked to an enzyme is added. If the target substance is present, this antibody will bind to it.
- Addition of Substrate: A substrate that the enzyme can act on is added. The enzyme will convert the substrate into a detectable signal, usually a color change.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that stimulates an immune response.
- Antibody: A protein produced by the immune system to neutralize antigens.
- Enzyme: A protein that catalyzes chemical reactions.
- Microtiter Plate: A flat plate with multiple "wells" used as small test tubes.
- Biochemical Assay: A laboratory procedure that measures the concentration of a substance in a biological fluid.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Elisa
- Wikipedia's article - Elisa
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