ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a diagnostic test kit that uses antibodies and color change to detect the presence of a substance in a sample. It is commonly used in clinical laboratories to diagnose infectious diseases, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and some cancers.
ELISA involves several steps:
A sample (e.g., blood, urine, or saliva) is collected from the patient.
The sample is added to a well on a plate coated with a specific antibody that can recognize the substance of interest.
If the substance is present in the sample, it will bind to the antibody.
Unbound substances are washed away, and a second antibody that recognizes a different part of the substance is added.
This second antibody is linked to an enzyme, and a substrate is added that the enzyme can convert to a detectable signal.
If the substance of interest is present in the sample, the signal will be produced, indicating a positive result.