Workflow: ELISA Assay Protocol
 
Antibody Binds to Well

CAPTURE ANTIBODY BINDS TO WELLS

First, the capture antibody is bound to the bottom of the microplate well.

Microplate wells

ELISA Plate

Most ELISAs are run in 96- or 384- well microplates, a 96-well plate being the most common and sometimes referred to as an ELISA plate. The bottom of the microplate wells serve as the solid surface to which antibodies and other reagents attach. Microplates are typically included in an ELISA kit.

01

Want faster ELISA results?

CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits produce results in just 90-minutes!

Learn more 

spectra
spectra mobile
add sample
add sample mobile

ADD SAMPLE

Sample is added to the well, and antigen within the sample binds to the capture antibody.

02
wash microplate
wash microplate mobile

WASH MICROPLATE

Unbound material is washed away, leaving only the antigen of interest and minimizing the potential for high background signal.

ELISA Plate Reader and Washer

ELISA Plate Reader And Washer

Complete solution for your ELISA workflow using the EMax plus Microplate Reader with SoftMax Pro data and acquisition software and MultiWash+ Microplate Washer.

View product

03

Save on a bundle

Save time and money with a SpectraMax Microplate Reader, SoftMax Pro Software, and an AquaMax Microplate Washer bundle.

Ask for a quote 

spectra
spectra mobile
add detection antibody
add detection antibody mobile

ADD DETECTION ANTIBODY

Enzyme-conjugated detection antibody binds to a second site on the antigen of interest, providing the means to detect the antigen.

04
wash microplates
wash microplates mobile

WASH MICROPLATE

Unbound antibodies are washed away, leaving only those specific for the target of interest and again minimizing the potential for background signal.

AquaMax Microplate Washer

ELISA Plate Washer

The AquaMax Microplate Washer: Aspiration and dispensing of 96- and 384-wells occur simultaneously in all wells leading to high-precision assays and faster microplate processing without mechanical plate indexing or quadrant processing.

View product

05
add substrate
add substrate mobile

ADD SUBSTRATE

Substrate is converted by the enzyme on the detection antibody, producing a color change, with intensity proportional to the amount of antigen present.

Depending on the enzyme and substrate used, the readout can also be fluorescent or luminescent.

06
read microplate
read microplate mobile

READ PLATE

The microplate reader detects the colored reaction product and outputs optical density (OD) values that indicate how much light is absorbed by the contents of each well.

ELISA Plate Reader Principle

ELISA Plate Reader

An ELISA plate reader, like the SpectraMax ABS Plus Absorbance ELISA Microplate Reader, detects the color change produced when target antigen is present. It does so by measuring how much of the light passed through the wells of the microplate is absorbed by the material within the wells. The more antigen is present, the higher the absorbance value.

View product

07
ELISA Plate Reader Software

ELISA Plate Reader Software

An ELISA plate reader software, like our SoftMax Pro data analysis software, is used to plot standard curves and calculate results from the absorbance values provided by the microplate reader.

A standard curve is run so that the amount of antigen in each sample can be accurately calculated. A preconfigured protocol, helps save time by calculating results automatically.

View product

calculate result
calculate result mobile

CALCULATE RESULTS

The amount of antigen in each sample is calculated, and different samples—for example, cells subjected to different treatment conditions—can be compared.

08

Automate your workflow

We offer scalable, automation-ready workcells ranging from entry-level to advanced, and can be customized to meet your specific research needs

Check out workcells 

Automate your workflow
ELISA Plate Reader Software

Automation-ready ELISA workcells

Automating an ELISA workflow can take the tedious steps of sample prep, reagent pipetting, and microplate washing out of your hands and can improve the reproducibility of your results. An automated ELISA workflow can be paired with control software and components, creating scalable, high-throughput workcells.

View ELISA workcells

09