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Group 5 - Activity 1 - BCM 3201L-1
Group 5 - Activity 1 - BCM 3201L-1
Group 5 - Activity 1 - BCM 3201L-1
I. Objectives
II. Introduction
There are four types of ELISA: Direct ELISA, Indirect ELISA, Sandwich
ELISA and Competitive/Inhibition ELISA, where each of these types has an
advantage to one another. Their differences will be explored in the succeeding
sections.
https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/immunology-virtual-lab
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Laboratory Manual
IV. Reagents
Coating
a. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
b. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO2)
Blocking
c. Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS)
Washing
d. Tween 20
Detection
e. Conjugated Antibodies (HRP)
f. p-NitroPhenyl Phosphate (pNPP)
CHECKPOINT:
Identify the functions of each reagent indicated above. Why are the reagents
segregated into coating, blocking, washing, and detection?
One of the key points in ELISA is the significance of the reagents involved in
each step of the assay. Each reagent plays a crucial role for an accurate result.
Generally, the reagents in ELISA are segregated according to their function. Each of
the functions are as follows (Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2016):
3. Washing reagents are solutions that are used to “wash” any unbound, or non-
specifically bound molecules from the surface of the plate. Washing reagent
are usually consist of a buffer solution with a detergent or surfactant that helps
disrupt interactions that are non-specific between the detection reagents and
the surface of the microplate and eliminates any cross contamination between
added components in each step of the assay
4. Detection reagents are reagents used to detect and quantify the presence of
a specific analyte in focus in ELISA .
(A) (B)
Figure 1. Actual results that yielded false positive (A) and the correct plate.
Results showed that Patient A, B, C and the positive control group has
changed its color presented in Figure 1.A. While Figure 1.B indicates the correct plate
wherein Patient A is positive for SLE; Patient B might have the SLE with further testing
needed; and Patient C which is likely to be negative for SLE. Therefore, actual lab
results yielded false positives. Possible reason for having false positive results may
be because of a missed step of washing the ELISA plate that led to cross-
contamination.
V. Procedure:
Guide Questions:
1. Differentiate the various types of ELISA in terms of their procedure and applications.
As elaborated in this activity, ELISA has various types which differ in terms of their
procedure and applications. Each of the types, their differences and specific applications
are as follows:
1. Direct ELISA - In this type of ELISA, the antigen of interest is directly immobilized
onto the surface of the microplate or other solid support used in the assay. The
primary antibody specific to the antigen is then added, followed by a labeled
secondary antibody that binds to the primary antibody. This type of ELISA is
relatively simple and straightforward, but it is less sensitive than other types. Direct
ELISA is commonly used when analyzing immune response to an antigen.
2. Indirect ELISA- In this type of ELISA, the primary antibody specific to the antigen
is immobilized onto the surface of the microplate or other solid support used in the
assay. A labeled secondary antibody that binds to the primary antibody is then
added. This type of ELISA is more sensitive than direct ELISA because multiple
secondary antibodies can bind to each primary antibody, resulting in signal
amplification. This type of ELISA is used best in quantifying levels of antibody in a
sample.
3. Sandwich ELISA - In this type of ELISA, two antibodies specific to the antigen are
used. One antibody is immobilized onto the surface of the microplate or other solid
support, and the other antibody is labeled and added to the sample. The labeled
antibody binds to the antigen, and the unbound labeled antibody is removed by
washing. This type of ELISA is highly sensitive and specific because it uses two
antibodies to detect the antigen hence can be used in analyzing complex samples.
4. Competitive ELISA - In this type of ELISA, a labeled antigen competes with the
antigen of interest for binding to a limited amount of immobilized antibody. The
amount of labeled antigen that binds to the immobilized antibody is inversely
proportional to the amount of antigen in the sample. This type of ELISA is useful
for quantifying the amount of antigen in a sample. This method is typically utilized
when there is only one antibody accessible for the targeted antigen. Additionally,
it is appropriate for identifying minor antigens that are unable to attach to two
different antibodies, as in the case of the sandwich ELISA approach.
2. Identify the specific functions/concepts behind the steps in coating, blocking, washing
and detection. Why are the said stages performed in a stepwise manner? What will
happen if the steps are mixed up?
COATING - Coating refers to the first step of ELISA, which involves the incubation and
adsorption of antibodies or antigens to the surface of the well (Thermo Fischer Scientific,
2023). This process occurs passively due to the hydrophobic interactions between the
amino acid side chains of the antibody or antigen used for coating and the plastic surface.
Various factors affect this process, including time, temperature, antibody/antigen
concentration, diffusion coefficient, surface area ratio, and coating buffer pH, determining
the rate and extent of coating (Creative Diagnostics, 2023). The coating buffers stabilize
the antibody or antigen coating in the microplate wells, optimizing its adsorption and
interaction with the target antibodies or antigens (Bio-Rad Laboratories, 2023).
.
BLOCKING - Blocking refers to the addition of irrelevant molecules that do not react with
any of the antibodies used in the detection step to cover the unsaturated surface-binding
sites of the microplate wells (Creative Diagnostics, 2023). Blocking these sites is
necessary to prevent the nonspecific binding of the following reactants, resulting in lower
specificity and sensitivity and subsequently causing a high background signal (Bio-Rad
Laboratories, 2023).
The correct order of steps in ELISA is necessary to obtain a reliable and accurate
result. These sequentially performed steps generally involve plate coating, plate blocking,
washing, and detection. It is critical to perform these steps accordingly since their
functions are related. For instance, we cannot accomplish the detection process correctly
without ensuring that there are no nonspecific bindings in the assay, done by performing
the coating, blocking, and washing steps. Without the preceding steps, the successive
steps will be deemed worthless. Failure to perform these steps accordingly will create a
false result.
3. Why do we need to set a blank for each ELISA plate? Identify its specific function in a
plate.
Blank plate samples refer to the ELISA plates that serve as an assay control to
validate the results. During ELISA, 3-8 wells are typically assigned as plate blanks, each
consisting of a liquid, usually a buffer or water, not having the target analyte (Mabtech,
2023). These plates function as a negative control that checks for the nonspecific binding
during assay that can result in a false positive result. It allows the subtraction of
background absorbance from the rest of the other wells to ensure an accurate optical
density reading, which measures the presence and concentration of the target analyte
(Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2023). A background interference with these plates can
indicate that the assay is detecting another substance other than the target analyte. Thus,
a false positive result (Science Squared, 2018).
4. Troubleshooting:
No enzyme signal detected (low -> review the protocol; retrace steps,
absorption)
-> ensure that all reagents used are fresh
and correctly prepared and stored.
Blank sample exhibited coloration -> increase the number of washing cycles
Slow color development -> ensure that plates and reagents are
stored at room temperature.
Conclusion:
The case done was testing 3 different patients to detect an antibody whether the
patients may or may not have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The results yielded false
positives compared to the correct plates where Patient A and B likely to have the SLE.
The result that yielded false positives may be because of the step/s that were not done
properly including washing the ELISA plates. The missed step can produce cross-
contamination resulting in a false positive. Therefore, since this test has delicate
procedures, it is important to follow it thoroughly to get the best result possible.
References:
• Alhajj, M., & Farhana, A. (2022, February 2). Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent
Assay. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555922/
• Bio-Rad Laboratories. (2023). ELISA: Helpful Hints. Retrieved February 26, 2023,
from Bio-Rad Laboratories: https://www.bio-rad-antibodies.com/helpful-elisa-
hints.html
• Bio-Rad. (2015). ELISA Troubleshooting & Advice | Bio-Rad. Bio-Rad.
https://www.bio-rad-antibodies.com/elisa-troubleshooting.html#high
• Bio-Rad. (2015). Types of ELISA | Bio-Rad. Bio-Rad. https://www.bio-rad-
antibodies.com/elisa-types-direct-indirect-sandwich-competition-elisa-
formats.html
• Creative Diagnostics. (2023). Practical Tips of ELISA. Retrieved February 26,
2023, from Creative Diagnostics: https://www.creative-diagnostics.com/Practical-
Tips-of-ELISA.html
• Direct and Indirect ELISA. (2016). Thermofisher.com.
https://www.thermofisher.com/ph/en/home/life-science/protein-biology/protein-
biology-learning-center/protein-biology-resource-library/pierce-protein-
methods/overview-elisa.html#10
• ELISA Blocking Buffers and Reagents | Thermo Fisher Scientific - PH. (2023).
Thermofisher.com. https://www.thermofisher.com/ph/en/home/life-
science/antibodies/immunoassays/elisa-kits/elisa-blocking-buffers-reagents.html