CD-ELISA™

What is CD-ELISA™?

ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays) are a family of biochemical analyses that have become a major tool in the diagnosis and prevention of disease and infection. Applications include:

• medical diagnostics and medical research
• pharmaceutical development
• food safety
• environmental monitoring
• homeland security

ELISA analyses are a multi-step process whereby antibodies and/or antigens (key biochemical structures in the human immune system) are applied to a solid surface to which is also applied specific reagents and which is washed between each application. Conventional ELISAs are performed typically in a 96-well microtiter plate about the size of the palm of your hand and that resembles a miniature ice cube tray (Figure 1).

The plate wells must be prepared with a bound reagent, then the sample is added, then a blocking agent is added, then the indicating reagent is introduced, all dispensed precisely and with wash steps in between. Most steps require incubation times. Results are read by fluorescence or color change. The cost of the assay is driven by the high cost of the antibodies used as reagents, and also the large number of individual reagents needed. Additionally, when executed manually, the process is time consuming, labor intensive, and subject to human error.