ELISAkokeet

ELISAkokeet, or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays, are a common laboratory technique used to detect and quantify the presence of a specific substance, typically an antigen or antibody, in a liquid sample. The method relies on the principle of immunoassay, where antibodies are used to bind to the target substance. The "enzyme-linked" part refers to an enzyme that is conjugated, or attached, to one of the antibodies. This enzyme acts as a reporter molecule.

In a typical ELISA, a solid surface, such as a microplate well, is coated with either an antigen or an antibody. The sample containing the substance to be detected is then added. If the target substance is present, it will bind to the immobilized molecule. Next, a second antibody, which is specifically designed to bind to the target substance, is added. This second antibody is linked to an enzyme. After washing away any unbound antibodies, a substrate is added that the enzyme can act upon. The enzyme catalyzes a reaction that produces a measurable signal, often a color change. The intensity of this signal is proportional to the amount of the target substance in the original sample. ELISAkokeet are widely used in medical diagnostics, research, and quality control for detecting diseases, measuring hormone levels, and identifying specific proteins.