ELISA, ELISPOT, dot blot, Western Blot

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ELISA stands for Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay. It is a quantitative method, which means that it can be used to accurately determine the concentrations of the investigated molecule. It works similarly to immunohistochemistry, in that we use antibodies that are bound to an enzyme. This antibody binds to the antigen we want to investigate, and the enzyme will catalyse the conversion of a non-colorful chromogen to a colourful molecule. The light absorption can be measured by a photometer and used to determine the concentration of the antigen.

ELISA can be used for many things:

  • Detect autoantibodies or specific antibodies
  • Detect microbial antigens
  • Measure concentration of specific serum proteins like CRP or cytokines
  • Detection of food allergens or toxins in food
  • In research

ELISPOT is used to measure the antigen secretion of cells.

Dot blots are used to detect specific proteins in a sample of mixed proteins.

Western blot can be used for

  • Detecting specific proteins in a sample with many proteins semiquantitively
  • Protein-protein interactions
  • Diagnosing Lyme disease, BSE and HIV infection