ELISA - The Essentials

Pocket Guide to ELISA

Table of Contents
1. Overview .............................................. 2
2. Analyte Capture .................................... 3
3. ELISA Types ......................................... 4
4. Antibodies ............................................ 7
5. Controls ............................................... 9
6. Buffers and Substrate .......................... 10
7. ELISA Results ...................................... 11
8. Protocols .............................................. 12
9. ELISA Troubleshooting ......................... 18
10. Technical Support ................................ 19

ELISA Basics Guide  | 1

1. Overview
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
measures the concentration of an analyte, usually
a protein, in solution. ELISAs start with
immobilization of the analyte in the wells of a
microtiter plate. Next a detection antibody is added
to measure the amount of analyte. The readout
comes from substrate catalyzed by enzyme
conjugated detection antibody or secondary
antibody. An analyte can be immobilized by direct
adsorption or capture antibody. The main ELISA
types to detect analytes are: direct, indirect,
sandwich, and competitive.

Typical ELISA output. Darker wells indicate higher levels of analyte in the
original sample.

ELISA Basics Guide  | 2

2. Analyte Capture

Direct adsorption Capture antibody

The first step is to determine how the analyte will

be captured. This will depend on reagent availability
and assay expectations.

Direct Adsorption Capture Antibody

Key points Adsorption to the plate’s Analyte specific capture
surface antibody
Advantages No antibody Higher specificity
Fewer steps Higher sensitivity in
Less error prone sandwich ELISA
Disadvantages Immobilization is not specific More steps
Higher background noise Additional specific
may be observed antibody required

If the analyte is adsorbed to the well surface,

proceed to direct or indirect ELISA; if a capture
antibody is used go to the sandwich ELISA section.

Find out more at [Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 3

3. ELISA Types
Direct and indirect ELISA

Direct ELISA

Indirect ELISA

The analyte is adsorbed to the well surface and can

then be detected either directly (direct ELISA) or
indirectly (indirect ELISA).

Direct ELISA Indirect ELISA

Key points Detection antibody is Analyte specific detection
enzyme conjugated antibody
Advantages Only one antibody High sensitivity due to
Faster than other ELISAs multiple binding sites
Less prone to error Fewer enzyme conjugated
antibodies needed
Greater flexibility to
change detection
antibody/enzyme
Disadvantages Each target needs its own Extra antibody needed
enzyme conjugated Possibility of background
detection antibody Longer protocol
No signal amplification

ELISA Basics Guide  | 4

Sandwich ELISA

Direct sandwich ELISA

Sandwich ELISAs deliver higher specificity and

sensitivity; they can be run with direct or indirect
detection. The key difference is the application of
a capture antibody.

Sandwich ELISA
Key points Analyte specific capture antibody immobilizes analyte
followed by specific detection antibody. Detection step can
be run as direct ELISA or indirect ELISA type
Advantages High sensitivity - 2 to 5 times more sensitive than direct or
indirect ELISA
High specificity - two antibodies are involved in capture
and detection
Flexibility - both direct and indirect detection can be used
Disadvantages Antibody optimization can be difficult - cross-reactivity may
occur between the capture and detection antibodies
Needs a standardized ELISA kit or tested antibody pair

See Direct and Indirect ELISA section for detection benefits and drawbacks

Find out more at [Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 5

Competitive ELISA

Direct adsorption based competitive ELISA

Competitive ELISAs are suited to quantification,

especially of small analytes. A key difference in the
readout of the competitive ELISA, to the preceding
ELISA types, is that increasing the amount of
analyte decreases levels of signal output, as the
labeled reagent gets ‘competed out’.

Competitive Non-competitive
Key points The reference analyte is bound to the Analyte specific
solid phase, the sample analyte capture and/or detection
competes with it for binding to a antibodies present in
limited amount of labeled detection excess, binding all the
antibody in solution available analyte
In the capture antibody based protocol
labeled reference analyte competes
with sample analyte for binding to a
limited amount of capture antibody
Advantages More suited to quantification Higher sensitivity
Used for small analytes that are too Suitable for larger multi
small for sandwich ELISA epitope analytes
Robust, complex analyte mixture can
be analyzed with single antibody
Can cope with cross-reactivity
Disadvantages Sub-saturating antibody concentration Not suitable for small
needs optimizing analytes

ELISA Basics Guide  | 6

4. Antibodies
The antibodies used in ELISA assays can be
monoclonal, polyclonal, or a combination of both.
Each antibody type offers distinct advantages in
the development of ELISAs.

Polyclonal Antibodies Monoclonal Antibodies

Quicker and easier to make Take longer to establish

Multiple isotypes Single isotype

More stable over a range of pH and salt
Less stable to matrix condition changes
concentrations
Polyspecific, can recognize several Monospecific, can distinguish small
epitopes changes in molecular structure
Can have cross-reactivity, higher
Generally exhibit low background
background
Constant antibody secreted from
Batch differences
hybridoma

Antibody labeling
Unlabeled detection antibody, for all ELISA types,
can be conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP)
or to alkaline phosphatase (AP) with the Bio-Rad’s
LYNX Rapid Antibody Conjugation Kits. Find out
more at [Link]/lynx

For more antibodies and ELISA tips and tricks,

please visit [Link]/elisa-hints

ELISA Basics Guide  | 7

 Antibody optimization
To find the optimal antibody concentrations
generate a standard curve by performing a
sandwich ELISA with direct detection. Set up
as follows:
• High (H) and low (L) concentration of your
analyte and a blank (0)
• Capture antibody dilutions at 0.5, 1, 2 and
5 μg/ml
• Detection antibody at 1:200, 1:1,000,
1:5,000 and 1:25,000

Then follow the sandwich ELISA protocol using

the plate layout shown below.

Antibody concentration optimization plate layout.

Detection Capture Antibody
Antibody 5 μg/ml 2 μg/ml 1 μg/ml 0.5 μg/ml
H L O H L O H L O H L O
1:200
H L O H L O H L O H L O
H L O H L O H L O H L O
1:1,000
H L O H L O H L O H L O
H L O H L O H L O H L O
1:5,000
H L O H L O H L O H L O
H L O H L O H L O H L O
1:25,000
H L O H L O H L O H L O

ELISA Basics Guide  | 8

Find the capture and detection antibody
combination with the maximum signal-to-noise ratio,
i.e. the largest difference between low and high
analyte concentrations. Select that one as the
starting point for generating the optimum standard
curve in the sandwich ELISA type. Finally, adapt as
necessary for other ELISA formats, e.g. omit
capture antibody for direct adoption based analyte
immobilization.

5. Controls
Control samples with analyte concentration
validated by another method should be included
in all ELISA types. Control samples, in the matrix
used for the test samples, help to keep track of
assay performance over time. A spiked sample,
where a known amount of analyte is added to a
subgroup of samples, is an alternative way to
obtain calibration points in the ELISA.

Find out more at [Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 9

6. Buffers and Substrate
A basic ELISA needs buffers for the following
protocol steps:
• Dilution of antibodies and controls/standards
• Coating
• Several washing steps
• Detection

Bio-Rad supplies a range of coating, blocking, and

washing buffers. TMB (3,3´,5,5´-tetramethylbenzidine)
substrates for HRP and p-nitrophenyl phosphate
(pNPP) solution for AP enzyme based detection
systems can be obtained as optimized ready-to-use
reagents.

Find optimized buffers for these steps at:

[Link]/elisa-buffers

ELISA Basics Guide  | 10

 7. ELISA Results
ELISA experiments can be set up to deliver
qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative
results. ELISA data is generally presented as a
plot of optical density vs log concentration,
producing a sigmoidal curve (see graph below).
Known concentrations of analyte are used to
generate the standard curve. The linear portion of
the sigmoidal curve is used to measure the amount
of analyte in the test samples.

40,000
Fluorescence (arbitrary units)

30,000

20,000

10,000

0.1 1 10 100 1,000

Human IFNγ [ng/ml]

A typical ELISA standard curve

To determine the concentration of an unknown

sample:
• Locate its absorbance value on the Y axis
• Draw a horizontal line until it meets the
standard curve
• Draw a vertical line down to the x axis
• Read off the concentration

Find out more at [Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 11
8. Protocols
Reagents

Coating buffer
Na2CO2, 1.5 g
NaHCO3, 2.93 g
Distilled water, 1 liter, pH to 9.6
For an alternative coating buffer, use ELISA Coating
Buffer (cat. #BUF030)

Blocking buffer
Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) (#BUF036A)
containing 1% w/v BSA
For an alternative blocking buffer, use either ELISA
BSA Block (#BUF032), ELISA Ultrablock (#BUF033),
or ELISA Synblock (#BUF034)

Wash buffer
PBS containing 0.05% v/v Tween-20
For an alternative wash buffer use ELISA Wash
Buffer (#BUF031)

Recommended substrates and stop solutions

TMB Core+ (#BUF062), for use with
HRP-conjugated antibodies. Stop with 2M H2SO4
pNPP (#BUF044), for use with alkaline
phosphatase-conjugated antibodies. Stop with
1M NaOH

ELISA Basics Guide  | 12

ELISA Methods
Direct ELISA with streptavidin-biotin detection
1. Coat microtiter plate with antigen/analyte,
cover the plate and incubate overnight at 4°C.
Wash 3 times with wash buffer.
2. Add blocking buffer. Incubate for 60 min
at 37°C. Wash 4 times with wash buffer.
3. Add samples and standards to the relevant
wells, preferably in triplicate. Incubate for
90 min at 37°C or overnight at 4°C. Wash 3
times with wash buffer.
4. Add biotin-conjugated detection antibody (in
wash buffer) to each well. Incubate for 1 hr
at 37°C. Wash 3 times in wash buffer.
5. Add enzyme-conjugated streptavidin (in wash
buffer). Incubate for 60 min at 37°C.
Wash 3 times in wash buffer.
6. Add substrate solution to each well. Incubate at
room temperature until desired color change is
attained.
7. Add stop solution and read absorbance values.

Find out more at [Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 13

Indirect ELISA
1. Coat microtiter plate with antigen/analyte,
cover the plate and incubate overnight at 4°C.
Wash 3 times with wash buffer.
2. Add blocking buffer. Incubate for 1 hr
at 37°C. Wash 4 times in wash buffer.
3. Add samples and standards to the relevant
wells, preferably in triplicate. Incubate for
90 min at 37°C or overnight at 4°C.
Wash 3 times with wash buffer.
4. Add detection antibody (in wash buffer) to
each well. Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C.
Wash 3 times in wash buffer.
5. Add enzyme-conjugated secondary
antibody to each well. Incubate for 1 hr
at 37°C. Wash 3 times in wash buffer.
6. Add substrate solution to each well.
Incubate at room temperature until desired
color change is attained.
7. Add stop solution and read absorbance
values.

ELISA Basics Guide  | 14

Sandwich ELISA with direct detection
1. Coat microtiter plate wells with coating
antibody. Cover the plate and incubate
overnight at 4°C. Wash the plate 3 times in
wash buffer.
2. Add blocking buffer. Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C.
Wash 4 times in wash buffer.
3. Add samples/analyte and standards to the
relevant wells, preferably in triplicate.
Incubate for 90 min at 37°C or overnight
at 4°C. Wash 3 times with wash buffer.
4. Add enzyme-conjugated detection antibody.
Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C. Wash 3 times
in wash buffer.
5. Add substrate solution to each well. Incubate
at room temperature until desired color
change is attained.
6. Add stop solution and read absorbance
values.

Find out more at [Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 15

Sandwich ELISA with streptavidin-biotin
detection
1. C  oat microtiter plate wells with coating
antibody. Cover the plate and incubate
o  vernight at 4°C. Wash the plate 3 times in
wash buffer.
2. A  dd blocking buffer. Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C.
Wash 4 times in wash buffer.
3. A  dd samples/analyte and standards to the
relevant wells, preferably in triplicate.
Incubate for 90 min at 37°C or overnight at
4°C. Wash 3 times with wash buffer.
4. A  dd biotin-conjugated detection antibody.
Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C. Wash 3 times in
wash buffer.
5. A  dd enzyme-conjugated streptavidin.
Incubate for 60 min at 37°C. Wash 3
times in wash buffer.
6. A  dd substrate solution to each well. Incubate
at room temperature until desired color
change is attained.
7. Add stop solution and read absorbance
values.

ELISA Basics Guide  | 16

 Competitive ELISA
1. Coat microtiter plate wells with antigen/
analyte solution in coating buffer. Cover the
plate and incubate overnight at 4°C. Wash
the plate 3 times in wash buffer.
2. Add blocking buffer to plate. Prepare the
analyte antibody mixture for samples and
standards. Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C.
Wash plate 4 times in wash buffer.
3. Add analyte and standard mixture to relevant
wells. Incubate for 1 hour at 37°C. Wash 3
times in wash buffer.
4. Add enzyme-conjugated secondary antibody
to each well. Incubate for 1 hr at 37°C.
Wash 3 times in wash buffer.
5. Add substrate solution to each well.
Incubate at room temperature until desired
color change is attained.
6. Add stop solution and read absorbance
values.

For comprehensive protocols, links to ELISA

validated antibodies, supporting information to
enhance your experiments, and details on ELISA
accessory reagents, please visit:
[Link]/elisa

ELISA Basics Guide  | 17

9. ELISA Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Causes Action/Solution

No signal Incorrect secondary antibody Repeat with correct secondary
used antibody
Not enough antibody used Optimize antibody concentration
Antigen not coated properly Try longer coating times, different
coating buffers, or avidin plates
with biotinylated antigen
Antibody at 4°C for too long Use a fresh aliquot of antibody
or freeze/thawed repeatedly from -20°C stocks
Weak signal Insufficient amount of antigen Use more antigen for coating or
was coated to microtiter plate very coating buffer
Not enough antibody used Optimize antibody concentration
Detection reagent too old, Use fresh detection reagents at the
contaminated, or used at the correct pH
wrong pH
Incubation temperature too low Optimize the incubation
temperature
High Too much antibody used Optimize antibody concentrations
background
signal Non-specific antibody binding Use suitable blocking buffer or
affinity-purified antibody
Too much detection reagent Repeat with higher dilution
used
Too few washing cycles Increase washing cycles

Contaminated blocking agent Use fresh blocking agent

Wrong concentration of Check the concentration of

blocking agent blocking agent
Blocking buffer interferes with Wash off blocking buffer before
antibody binding adding antibody
Reaction not stopped Use stop solution to prevent
overdevelopment
Insufficient amount of Tween in Use PBS containing 0.05% Tween
the buffers

ELISA Basics Guide  | 18

Problem Possible Causes Action/Solution
High Incubation with substrate Perform substrate incubation in
background carried out in the light the dark
signal Inconsistent washing of wells Reduce variability of washes
Uneven evaporation of solution Always incubate with a plate sealer
from wells
Slow Incubation temperature is Keep reaction at room temperature
color wrong
Contaminated solutions Make fresh solutions
developmemt
Detection reagent too old, Use fresh detection reagents at the
contaminated or used at the correct pH
wrong pH

9. Technical Support
For further help and expert advice contact our
scientist staffed technical support department.
[Link]/technical

ELISA Basics Guide  | 19

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