Enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a commonly used laboratory method in biomedical research for identifying and measuring particular molecules in biological samples.
Researchers use this technique to assess sensitivity, reliability, and the ability to handle multiple samples at once. They often use ELISA along with other techniques to confirm results and manage biological responses.
Go through this post to know more about how ELISA methods work, the targets they are used to measure, and common ways ELISA is used in biomedical research.
ELISA Methods Used In Biomedical Research
Different ELISA formats are used in biomedical research based on the nature of the analyte and experimental goals.
Here are different ELISA formats that researchers can choose based on the type of study requirements.
1) Direct ELISA:
This method use primary antibody that attaches directly to the target. Researchers use this when working with high-concentration samples.
2) Indirect ELISA:
In this method, the secondary antibody binds to the primary antibody. This format is commonly used for antibody detection because it improves sensitivity and is mainly applied in immunology and serological studies.
3) Sandwich ElISA:
This format uses two antibodies that bind to different regions of the same protein. This method provides strong specificity and sensitivity, which helps measure cytokines, hormones, and biomarkers in biomedical research.
4) Competitive ELISA:
This method is best for small molecules or targets that cannot attach to two antibodies at the same time. In this format, the signal decreases as target concentration increases.
Biological Targets Commonly Studied Using ELISA Kits
ELISA kits are commonly used in biomedical research to study different biological targets. Here are some of the biological targets commonly examined using ELISA kits in biomedical research:
● Cytokines and chemokines:
These are small signaling proteins used in immune response and inflammation. It helps study infection, immune activation, and inflammatory diseases. Using this kit, researchers examine cell-to-cell communication in immune pathways.
● Hormones:
These are regulatory molecules that control metabolic and endocrine functions. Researchers use this in studies related to insulin signaling, stress response, and growth regulation. It helps monitor physiological changes in both healthy and diseased models.
● Growth factors:
ELISA kits are used to study proteins that manage cell growth, differentiation, and survival. This plays an important role in cell signaling, tissue repair, and developmental biology research.
● Antibodies and antigens:
These are an important component of the immune system that is used for pathogen recognition and immune response. Researchers mainly study this for immunology and vaccine research. It helps them assess antibody production, specificity, and immune interaction.
● Disease-associated biomarkers:
These are biological molecule that shows the progression of disease. This is mostly used in oncology, neurology, and cardiovascular research. By measuring changes in biomarker levels, researchers can get insight into disease mechanisms and control experimental outcomes.
Some studies focus on newly discovered proteins or species, where standard assays may not be suitable. In that case, custom-made ELISA kits help researchers to customise the assay to meet experimental requirements.
Role Of ELISA In Biomedical Research Studies
ELISA kits help researchers understand what is happening inside cells, tissues, or biological models.
- Disease Mechanism Studies:
It helps researchers measure the changes in protein level linked to disease. This helps them study how a disease starts and progresses.
- Drug Discovery and Validation:
Researchers use ELISA data to check if a drug interacts with its target. A change in protein level helps examine whether a treatment is effective or not. This data supports decisions in early research stages.
- Immunology and Inflammation Research:
ELISA is used to measure immune-related molecules such as cytokines. This data helps track how the immune system reacts to infections or treatments.
- Oncology and Biomarker Discovery:
ELISA data helps in identifying proteins linked to disease conditions. This helps researchers understand biological changes linked to diseases.
- Neuroscience and Metabolic Research:
The kit helps researchers study enzymes and signaling proteins in experimental models. The data is commonly used in animal and cell-based research models.
Final Takeaway
ELISA remains an important tool in biomedical research because it can be used for different targets and study types. Its adaptability makes it useful for different questions and experimental needs. For non-standard conditions, custom-made ELISA kits can help maintain assay reliability without changing the experimental needs.
ELISA remains a foundational tool in biomedical research due to its flexibility across methods and applications.
