ELISA

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely used immunoassay for detecting and quantifying antibodies or antigens in patient samples. Known for its sensitivity, reproducibility, and scalability, ELISA remains a cornerstone of clinical laboratory diagnostics. Euroimmun ELISA systems combine standardized reagent quality, flexible assay formats, and automation solutions to support accurate, efficient testing in laboratories of all sizes.

What is the ELISA technique?

ELISA is based on the specific binding of antibodies and antigens on a solid-phase microplate. Antigens or antibodies are immobilized on the surface of 96-well microplates, allowing target molecules in patient samples to bind selectively. A second antibody conjugated with an enzyme generates a measurable color reaction, enabling semi-quantitative or quantitative detection of analytes.

Principle of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Sample incubation: Patient samples are added to antigen-coated or antibody-coated microplate wells, where specific binding occurs.

Washing step: Unbound components are removed to ensure assay specificity.

Enzyme conjugate incubation: A secondary antibody labeled with an enzyme binds to the target complex.

Substrate reaction: Addition of substrate produces a colorimetric signal proportional to the analyte concentration.

Measurement: Optical density is measured using a microplate reader, providing reliable quantitative or semi-quantitative results.

ELISA formats: semi-quantitative and quantitative detection

Euroimmun offers ELISA assays in multiple formats to meet diverse laboratory needs:

Semi-quantitative ELISA
Ideal for screening applications and antibody profiling

Quantitative ELISA
Enables precise measurement for disease monitoring and clinical decision-making

Profile ELISA
Allows simultaneous analysis of multiple antibodies or antigens in a single test

Manual, semi-automated, and automated ELISA Processing

These flexible formats support both high-throughput screening and targeted testing.

Euroimmun ELISA diagnostics can be processed using:

Manual workflows
for low-volume testing

Semi-automated systems
to reduce hands-on time

Fully automated ELISA processing using the Analyzer I, ensuring standardized incubation, washing, and readout

ELISA in Euroimmun diagnostics

Euroimmun ELISA assays are designed for consistent performance, ease of use, and integration across diagnostic workflows. Key advantages include:

Ready-to-use reagents for secure and standardized processing
Barcoded components for traceability
High-quality antigen coating for reliable results
Compatibility with Euroimmun automation platforms
Broad diagnostic coverage across multiple disease areas

These features make Euroimmun ELISA solutions a trusted choice for clinical laboratories worldwide.

ELISA vs other immunoassay techniques

While ELISA remains a gold standard for many applications, Euroimmun also offers complementary technologies such as IFA and ChLIA. Together, these methods allow laboratories to choose the most appropriate assay format for screening, confirmation, and monitoring, while maintaining consistent quality and automation compatibility.