Micro Lab - ELISA

Antigen

a foreign substance that enters the body

Antibody

protein produce by the body that attack foreign substances

Epitope

unique set of molecules (AA or sugar) on an antigen used to ID a specific organism

Primary Antibody

the Ab that binds to the Ag in the reaction (detects Ag of choice)

Secondary Antibody

the Ab that binds to the primary Ab, carries the indicator molecule

Indicator Molecule

molecule that produces a signal that the Ag is detected (color/light)

Blocking Agent

large, non-reactive molecule that binds to the surface and prevents non-specific binding

Washing Buffer

solution that prevents cross contamination

Direct ELISA

Ag is fixed onto solid substrate, Primary Ab + indicator is added to bind to the Ag

Indirect ELISA

AG is fixed onto solid substrate, Primary Ab binds to Ag - secondary Ab + indicator molecule binds to Primary Ab

Sandwich ELISA

Primary Ab is fixed onto solid substrate, Ag added and binds onto primary, Secondary Ab added + indicator

Direct ELISA

used for rapid, at-home testing

Indirect ELISA

used in clinical labs, added layer of sensitivity

Sandwich ELISA

determines if someone had produced an Ab against a specific pathogen