The Big ELISA Roundup

The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, or ELISA, is a fundamental technique that is used daily in diagnostic and research labs around the world. The technique uses antibodies to detect an antigen of interest, and can be used for disease detection, diagnostic testing, allergen monitoring, and many other topics. Due to the power and utility of the assay, ELISAs are used extensively in teaching labs and are a requirement in many high school and undergraduate curricula. Below, we have assembled many useful and valuable resources to help you master the ELISA and integrate it into the classroom lab.

1. How was the ELISA first developed and how has it changed to become the assay that we use today
   This informative post explains the interesting history of the ELISA, from the discovery of antibodies in the late 1800’s through to the development of enzyme-linked antibodies in the 1970’s. It provides a number of useful summaries of the procedure and an outline of the components needed to perform an ELISA.
2. Can you identify the differences between the four common ELISAs?
   Did you know that there are four major ELISA procedures? Each of them is similar, however, the minor differences can have a huge impact on the protocol and results that they provide. This blog post outlines each of the techniques and reveals the subtle differences that define them.
3. Now that you know the history of the ELISA, learn how to master it!
   Our “Mastering the ELISA” post features numerous tips and tricks to help you master the assay. It covers the preparation of samples, how to rinse the wells, and even ways to incorporate additional breaks in the procedure. Finally, you’ll learn how to identify errors in the procedure to help you understand unexpected results.
4. Check it out, we’re on video!
   Our YouTube page has an incredible collection of videos covering a broad range of topics, including the ELISA! Check out our webinar on the MyLab home ELISA experiment, or our protocol video showing step-by-step how to perform a full ELISA. Once you’re done be sure to check out some of our other videos!

Finally, stop by our ELISA learning center landing page for even more ELISA resources! You can explore lesson plans, view ELISA presentations, and even find extra activities for use in your classroom. Feeling ready to tackle the ELISA yourself? Check out or extensive collection of assays designed to fit into your existing curriculum!