Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) - Scientific Overview
*Introduction - Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a cornerstone immunodiagnostic technique that exploits the specificity of antigen–antibody interactions and the signal-amplifying power of enzymes to detect and quantify biomolecules in complex samples. Since its introduction in the early 1970s, ELISA has become ubiquitous in clinical diagnostics, biomedical research, food safety testing, environmental monitoring, and pharmaceutical development. Compared to earlier radioimmunoassays, ELISA offers similar sensitivity and specificity without the hazards, disposal concerns, and regulatory burdens associated with radioisotopes. This comprehensive guide explores the theoretical foundations, assay formats, detailed protocols, key reagents, instrumentation, quality control measures, troubleshooting strategies, applications, recent advancements, and future directions of ELISA. 1. Historical Background and Evolution · ...