ELISA
Automate and optimize your ELISAs for faster
and more efficient screening.
and more efficient screening.
Overview
Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) are a common analytical methodology used to quantify antigen concentrations in any given solution. Thanks to the straightforward nature of the method, ELISAs have been used for a variety of applications ranging from HIV diagnosis and pregnancy tests to more delicate antibody, antigen and protein measurement.
Detection of specific targets is based on the binding of specific antibodies, immobilized on a solid phase. An enzymatic reaction from those antibodies produces a measurable readout, which can then be used to quantify a target protein in the solution. To generate high-quality data for evaluation, it is of utmost importance to ensure that non-specific bound proteins or antibodies causing background noise are removed.
Typically, ELISA protocols contain multiple wash cycles after each reaction step to reduce interference from background noise. CYTENA’s automated plate washing and liquid handling system, the C.WASH, reduces the time and resources typically needed in this process by using centrifugal force to clean microplates. In addition to accelerating the process, the C.WASH

Sub-Applications
Accelerate workflows
Remove liquids from 96-, 384- and 1536-well plates in seconds without the use of plastic pipette tips.
Automation
ready
Futureproof your workflows with an automation-ready device (SILA2).
Minimize cross
contamination
Noncontact liquid removal reduces the chance that samples will mix with contaminants, assuring that data generated during tests is accurate and reliable.
Research Workflows
Simplify washing steps
The workflow below outlines how the C.WASH can be integrated into a sandwich ELISA workflow, from the initial antibody binding steps to the final enzyme and substrate addition. As mentioned previously, ELISAs have washing steps after each addition of sample and/or binding agents. The C.WASH aims to simplify these washing steps by using centrifugal forces for noncontact liquid removal, which effectively washes plates in as few as two cycles.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A weak signal could mean you need to focus on any of the following ELISA optimization areas:
- Incorrect storage or preparation of reagents
- Check the correct storage conditions for your kit reagents and allow them to equilibrate to room temperature before use.
- Insufficient capture antibody coating
- Consider using ready-to-use kits or an automated dispensing system for precise, reproducible coating.
- Suboptimal antibody concentrations used
- Test multiple concentrations in parallel with a microplate washer and dispenser that will accommodate any size multiplate, and once ELISA optimization is complete, keep protocols stored in an accessible place, like an easy-to-use software interface.
- Damage caused by pipettes touching wells
- Repeated dispensing and aspirating into and out of wells can cause tips to touch and scratch the bottom of wells if not correctly calibrated. If you switch to a contact-free washer and dispenser, you eliminate this risk.
An excessively intense signal could be due to imperfect ELISA optimization, including
- Insufficient washing
- Using an automated microplate washer and dispenser with a small residual volume and rapid wash cycles simultaneously simplifies and enhances the efficiency of the washing process.
- Possible contamination
- Using a contact-free method of dispensing and removing liquids reduces the risk of contamination.
- Excessive incubation or antibody concentrations
- Consider checking your ELISA optimization and reducing the antibody incubation durations and concentrations.
High background reduces the ELISA signal-to-noise ratio and could be caused by
- Insufficient washing
- Increase the number of washes in your ELISA protocol or use an automated microplate washer and dispenser with a small residual volume and rapid wash cycles to enhance the efficiency of the washing process and reduce background noise.
- Insufficient blocking
- Adjust your blocking solution and incubation time, and improve the subsequent washing, either by increasing the number of washes or using an automated microplate washer and dispenser, which improves washing efficiency.
Using a multiplate for ELISAs increases throughput by enabling the simultaneous analysis of multiple different samples in a single plate, which also helps reduce variability and enhance the reproducibility of the results. Multiwell plates are designed to be compatible with automated workflows, allowing for precise reagent addition, consistent ELISA plate washing and reduced overall processing time.