How to maximize ELISA practices

This article is based on a poster originally authored by ACROBiosystems.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is an established, adaptable, yet straightforward assay designed to detect and quantify a range of specific analytes.

This assay’s simplicity and flexibility has led to its position as an assay of choice within the biological research sector. ELISA is typically one of the first biochemistry assays that researchers in training learn to perform.

This article features a range of advice and insight into maximizing ELISA results.

Tip one: Proper storage is key

Properly sealing and storing your ClinMax^™ reagents—and all other reagents in your lab—can significantly extend their quality and shelf life.

Kits from ACROBiosystems are ISO 13485 certified and manufactured under ACROBiosystems’ rigorous quality management system to ensure optimal performance for as long as possible.

Adhering to proper storage guidelines helps maintain the integrity of these products and supports reliable laboratory results.

• Aliquoting reconstituted standards into small, single-use portions and storing them in the freezer can help minimize freeze-thaw cycles, preserving reagent integrity. As a general guideline, limiting freeze-thaw cycles to fewer than three is recommended.
• Expired reagents should not be used, as solvent evaporation, contamination, and other factors can compromise experimental results. It is essential to track reagent expiration dates and dispose of them properly to maintain accuracy and reliability in the lab.
• ClinMax^™ plates also feature removable well-strips that can be stored individually. These can be returned to the plate bag and stored under the proper conditions.

Tip two: Focus on the details

Executing an ELISA assay correctly requires precision. While the assay itself is straightforward, the greatest risk for error comes from human factors. Variables such as temperature, incubation times, and other conditions can significantly impact results. Carefully following the protocol and paying attention to details are key to achieving reliable, publishable data.

• It is advisable to collect all samples and equipment required before beginning the assay.
• Half-thawed reagents should not be boiled; rather, all reagents should be brought to room temperature unless their protocol states otherwise. It is also advisable to automate where possible, using plate washers to ensure clean, sterile well plates.
• Reagents should not be mixed and matched between kits. This helps avoid introducing any potential issues.

Tip three: Follow relevant pipetting guidelines

Even experienced scientists can become lax with their pipetting technique over time. It is important to work as efficiently as possible.

• Work smarter, not harder. Take the time to locate the missing multichannel pipette instead of relying on a single-channel pipette—it will save time and improve efficiency in the long run!
• Be consistent. Use the same calibrated multichannel pipette throughout your experiment.
• Proper pipette tip procedure should be followed at all times, with pipette tips held at an angle and not touching the bottom surface of the wells.

Tip four: Maintain appropriate documentation

Writing and documenting everything may be tedious, but it is essential for conducting good science. There’s no way around it—thorough records ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and reliability in research.

Tip five: Leverage resources and networks

ACROBiosystems’ customers have a comprehensive set of resources at their disposal, including the company’s own protocols, instructions, and its 24-hour technical support team.

Acknowledgments

Produced from materials originally authored by ACROBiosystems.

About ACROBiosystems

ACROBiosystems is a cornerstone enterprise of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Their mission is to help overcome challenges with innovative tools and solutions from discovery to the clinic. They supply life science tools designed to be used in discovery research and scalable to the clinical phase and beyond. By consistently adapting to new regulatory challenges and guidelines, ACROBiosystems delivers solutions, whether it comes through recombinant proteins, antibodies, assay kits, GMP-grade reagents, or custom services. ACROBiosystems empower scientists and engineers dedicated towards innovation to simplify and accelerate the development of new, better, and more affordable medicine.

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