Optofluidic Bioassay

We are pleased to announce that in collaboration with the University of Michigan, Optofluidic Bioassay’s product Express ELISA system (WO2018165354A1, US20190383750A1, CN110402383A, EP3593117A1) invented by Maung Khaing Oo (lead inventor) and Xudong Fan (co-inventor) enables to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and viral antigen – S protein in serum rapidly (less than 20 minutes) and quantitatively. Furthermore, the system consumes less than 10 microliters sample (10-20% of traditional ELISA sample). Full research paper and news releases can be found in the following links.

The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the most efficient laboratory procedure, which is helpful to detect the presence and measure the concentration of the target antigen in samples. This test is done for counting the antigens between the two layers of antibodies (i.e., capture antibody and detection antibody). In sandwich ELISA, the two antibodies must be paired and tested before use. Also, while performing the sandwich ELISA, the capture antibody and detection antibody mustn’t interfere with each other’s binding capability. One of the major benefits of sandwich ELISA is the ability to specifically measure antigen from impure samples. The extremely robust nature of the sandwich assay makes it a great diagnostic tool for medical purposes and especially for identifying potential food allergens or testing certain drugs.

Knowing the basics of the sandwich ELISA test

As mentioned earlier, this test is useful for identifying and quantifying the antigen concentration in the unknown samples. Since the procedure of this test uses at least two antibodies, the antigens to be measured must also have at least two non-overlapping epitopes (antigenic determinants) capable of binding to the antibodies. In sandwich ELISA, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are used as the detection and capture antibodies. The monoclonal antibodies are used as detection antibodies as they help in more accurate detection and quantification, whereas; the polyclonal antibodies are utilized as the capture antibody since they are helpful in binding antigens as much as possible.

What are the advantages of the sandwich ELISA test?

The sandwich ELISA test involves the use of two antibodies. And thus, the antigens are captured and detected more specifically with the help of sandwich ELISA.

This ELISA test is more suitable for complex samples as antigens do not require purification before the measurement.

The sandwich ELISA is 2 to 5 times more sensitive than the direct and indirect ELISA test. It also gives fast and precise results of the antigens in an unknown sample.

You can use both direct and indirect detection methods in this, and thus, sandwich ELISA has good sensitivity and flexibility.

Steps to be followed for sandwich ELISA

The first step is to prepare the surface (such as a multi-well plate) with a specific quantity of capture antibodies.

Then, you must block the unbound protein binding sides on the surface to reduce background and nonspecific binding.

After this, add the sample that contains the target antigen to the plate. The target antigen should be allowed to incubate so that it can bind to the immobilized capture antibodies.

Wash off the plate so that the unbound antigen gets removed.

Now, the detection antibody is added while ensuring that it binds to a different location on the antigen than the capture antibody.  

Again, after the incubation, wash the plate so that the joined unbound antibody-enzyme is removed.  

In this step, add the substrate which is changed by the enzyme into a color, electrochemical signal, or fluorescent. Now measure this fluorescence or electrochemical signal on the multi-plate well to determine the presence and quantity of antigens.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), also referred to as enzyme immunoassay (EIA), is a popular immunological examination done to detect the antibodies, antigens, peptides, proteins and, glycoproteins in biological samples. This assay is convenient, quick, simple to execute, and can generate quantitative and qualitative data results. Thus, the ELISA kit is commonly used all across for biomedical research and discovery and diagnostic purposes. There are many ELISA tests, such as direct, indirect, sandwich, and competitive ELISA.

During ELISA tests, the enzymes and antibodies or antigens are used to identify a substance in a liquid sample (such as serum/plasma, culture supernatant, and cell/tissue lysate). It is a plate-based examination technique that involves the use of a solid surface (multi-well plate). It makes ELISA test different from all other antibody-based assays. With the help of this assay method, one can easily detect any molecule such as protein, lipid, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, etc. It helps in diagnosing infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.

Due to the popular demand for ELISA tests, there are several commercially available ELISA kits in the market for diagnostic purposes. So, it is important to choose the right ELISA test kit from several options available for analyzing the samples accurately. Therefore, different factors should be considered while choosing an ELISA kit.

Here are few points that will help you in deciding the right ELISA test kit

The species for testing – If you are working on the samples for classical models such as humans or mice, it is comparatively easier to find an authorized ELISA kit. But if the samples that are to be tested are of non-classical models such as monkeys, then there are a limited number of ELISA kits. You must always consider the physiological structure of the species that you are going to study before choosing the authorized ELISA kit.

Consider the quality of the sample (analyte) for detection – Understanding the type of analyte (usual proteins) you are going to detect is important. A sandwich ELISA test is mostly suitable for the detection of large proteins with several epitopes like cytokine, whereas the competitive ELISA is done for identifying small molecules such as haptens. Majorly, the ELISA kits are authenticated on serum/plasma and culture supernatants. So, considering the kit instructions and specifications in detail before collecting the samples is necessary. It helps in ensuring if that particular kit is suitable for the sample or not. Moreover, how the samples are to be collected also influences the type of kit that needs to be chosen. Factors such as hemolysis and lipids also interfere in the performance of the examination. So make sure that all these factors of samples are noted well before selecting an ELISA kit.

Type of antibodies – Contact the ELISA kit suppliers to get the information regarding the type of antibodies (such as a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody) used in the particular kit. For instance, it is favorable for the sandwich ELISA test to use the polyclonal antibodies to capture and monoclonal antibodies for detection.

Identifying the purpose of the analysis – ELISA assay is used for determining both quantitative and qualitative results. The qualitative ELISA determines the simple positive or negative result of the sample, whereas the quantitative ELISA reveals the concentration of the analyte through a standard curve. So, you should be aware of the purpose of the analysis for choosing between qualitative ELISA and quantitative ELISA.

The experimental protocol – When there is a need to test multiple analytes, try using the same protocol for all of them to avoid confusion between the assays. It would be best to always focus on using the ELISA kits that have a simple protocol, convenient operations, and short experiment time.

Contact Optofluidic Bioassay: Specialist for MicroFluere® Human Interleukin 6 (IL-6) ELISA Kit

Elisa 96 well microplate is a flat plate with multiple wells that can be used as small test tubes. This plate is commonly used as the standard tool for performing analytical research and clinical diagnostic testing in laboratories. Generally, a microplate consists of 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 sample wells arranged in a 2:3 rectangular matrix. The wells present in these microplates can either be circular or square and can hold tens of nanolitres to several milliliters of liquid sample. Presently, microplates are seen for life science research, which involves filtration, separation, optical detection, storage, reaction mixing, cell culture, and detection of antimicrobial activity.

These days, microplates are commonly used for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as the modern medical diagnostic testing equipment for humans and animals. Among various options of sample wells available for the plates, the ELISA 96 well microplate has become the standard for the industry and is used globally for performing various tests. The ELISA 96-well microplates allow performing the common laboratory testing procedure that can be carried out on multiple samples at once. ELISA tests are the standard tests used for analyzing the protein mixture and helps in confirming the presence of the target protein. This test is also increasingly used in laboratories for analyzing blood samples.

Moreover, performing experimental assays with a 96-well plate requires a series of washes. Using 96 well microplate washer controls the procedure of washing experimental samples collected on the microplate formats. Compared to manual washing alternatives, the microplate washers help improve the speed and accuracy of washing procedures and are useful for the proper conduct of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). There are suitable microplate washers for every lab’s requirements, from handheld washers to fully automated microplate washing.

So, while selecting the 96-well microplates for the ELISA test, one should consider the requirements of the plate reader and the detection method. Although most of the microplates manufacturing these days follow all the universal standards, it is good to check the specification and make sure that they are compatible with your reader and reagents.

Enhance accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity with ELISA 96-well microplates by Optofluidic Bioassay

Optofluidic Bioassay brings a way out for the researchers for conducting the ELISA test at less cost and faster testing times, making the lab more efficient. The Microfluere 96-well plate by Optofluidic Bioassay can conduct ELISA assay with 80% fewer reagents, sample size (20uL vs. 100uL), and five times faster assay time, i.e., less than 1 hour. This microplate is more compatible than the UV star 96-well microplate, 96-well black polystyrene microplate, and 96 well EIA/RIA assay microplate. It can be used well by the standard microplate readers and works for both fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection modes. Using our Microfluere 96-well ELISA microplates helps get more specific results instead of the traditional 96-well ELISA microplate.

Microfluidics refers to the science that precisely controls and operates fluids in channels with dimensions of tens of micrometers. It is the scientific study of the behavior of fluids that are usually in the range of microliters (10-6) to picolitres (10-12). This multidisciplinary field of fluids includes engineering, biochemistry, nanotechnology, physics, chemistry, and biotechnology.

The field of microfluidics is highly potential for influencing the subject areas from chemical synthesis and biological analysis to optics and information technology. Microfluidics deals in the practical applications of design systems that process low volumes of fluids for achieving multiplexing, automation, and high-throughput screening. This field emerged for use in DNA chips, lab-on-a-chip technology, micro-propulsion, and micro-thermal technologies. It is an essential tool for biotechnology and life science research.

This attractive technology is most beneficial for the researchers because it helps in –

Decreasing sample and reagent consumptions

Shorten the time of experiments

Reduces the overall cost of applications

Microfluidics for biotechnology

The advanced microfluidics lab-on-a-chip applications help boost biotechnological research, which is not possible with the traditional methods. Microfluidics offers different applications to the essential demands of biotechnologists. There is progressive use of microfluidics within biotechnology for four emerging fields. These fields include the phenotypic screening of cells, the analysis of microbial population heterogeneity, organ-on-a-chip approaches, and synthetic co-cultures. The use of microfluidics lab-on-a-chip devices is rapidly expanding for their application in biotechnology in the last few years. There are many start-up companies nowadays that are offering specialized microfluidics solutions in different applications and scientific questions.

What microfluidics offers to biotechnologists?

To explain the need for microfluidics techniques for biotechnological research, we will list the unique strengths of microfluidics in this blog. Microfluidics systems are the channels occupied with fluids in the range of few micrometers to a few hundred micrometers. The significant advantage of microfluidics is that it uses only small volumes of liquid samples with precise handling. Thus, it offers cost-effective and hi-end diagnostic results that are potentially relevant for biotechnology researches.

·         Low Reagent Consumption

The first advantage of using the microfluidic devices is that it uses only small amounts of reagents (components) because of the small dimensions. Thus, it is useful when details such as reagents or enzymes are difficult to purify or hard to analyze. Moreover, the small volume is also advantageous in risky reagents as their amount can be reduced in microfluidic applications.

·         High surface to volume ratio

The next advantage of microfluidics is that the system provides a very high surface-to-volume ratio. Thus, this helps in allowing fast mass and heat transport necessary for various applications such as biotransformation. Microfluidics is suitable for applications where the reactions of the reagents take place on surfaces. For proper sensing, the specific antibodies are immobilized to the surfaces and concentrations.

·         High-throughput applications

Microfluidics is also suitable for high-throughput applications such as screening experiments because of its low working volumes and ability to parallelize reaction sites. Droplet microfluidics is one of the commercially available methods in microfluidics. In this, the water-in-oil or oil-in-water droplets are created at a controlled volume and speed. In contrast to the traditional methods, microfluidic devices give excellent abilities for high parallelization due to their small dimensions.

·         Portable Systems

The invention of microfluidics aimed to develop a system that integrates all instrumentation and analysis features of a laboratory and provides a portable system.

Choosing microfluidics rather than any other conventional measuring device

Due to the low volumes for sample requirements, this microfluidic technology is a promising alternative to many conventional laboratory techniques. Microfluidic technology allows complete laboratory procedures on a single chip of few square centimeters. Most often, microfluidics is used in ‘lab on a chip” and “organ on a chip” technology. But, you can also apply microfluidics to several applications such as –

Cosmetics (emulsions & formulations)

Pharmaceuticals (drug discovery)

Health (personalized medicine & diagnosis)

Chemistry (flow synthesis & stoichiometry)

Biology (cell culture and 3D printing)

Energy (EOR models plasma confinement)

MicroFluere by Optofluidic Bioassay powered by microfluidics

The MicroFluere ® plate by Optofluidic Bioassay has microfluidic units arranged in a pre-coated 96 well plates. The microfluidic unit by our team has a liquid inlet, a clear detection channel containing micro-posts, and a fluid outlet. The samples and the reagents flow through a funnel-shaped structure through an embedded microfluidic channel in this unit.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE AACC ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING & CLINICAL LAB EXPO?

The 70th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo will be held in Chicago, Illinois this year—and it will begin on July 29th and continue through August 2nd. The conference will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place: 2301 S King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616.

WHAT IS THE AACC ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING & CLINICAL LAB EXPO?

The AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo is held by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to clinical laboratory science and its application to healthcare.

The expo offers exposure to global leaders in clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and more. In addition, there will be over 200 new product introductions and over 200 educational and scientific sessions offered over the course of the expo.

WHAT WILL OPTOFLUIDIC BIOASSAY DO AT THE AACC EXPO?

Optofluidic Bioassay will be at booth #1379 showing off the game-changing MicroFluere® 96-well microplates. If you wish to set up a meeting in Chicago, please use the ‘Contact Us’ form on our website. Or reach out directly to Brent DeLaBarre, Chief Commercial Officer, at 810.923.9056.

To learn more about the AACC and the AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, visit their website. https://www.optobio.com/

 WHEN AND WHERE IS THE 2018 BIO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION?

The BIO International Convention will be held in Boston, Massachusetts this year—and it will begin on June 4th and continue through June 7th. The conference will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center: 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.

WHAT IS THE BIO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION?

The BIO International Convention is hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), an organization representing more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations.

The conference offers one-on-one partnering with biotech and pharma leaders, exposure to key industry thought leaders, and an abundance of networking opportunities. In addition, there will be over 500 education sessions offered over the course of the conference.

The BIO International Convention attracts over 16,000 attendees from 74 countries, bringing together a wide spectrum of life science and application areas. Life science and application areas include: drug discovery, biomanufacturing, genomics, biofuels, nanotechnology and cell therapy.

WHAT WILL OPTOFLUIDIC BIOASSAY DO AT BIO?

OptoBio is meeting with industry partners looking to improve their ELISA business with a game-changing 96-well microplate. If you wish to set up a meeting in Boston, please fill out the ‘Contact Us’ form on our webpage. Or reach out directly to Brent DeLaBarre, Chief Commercial Officer, at 810.923.9056.

To learn more about the 2018 BIO International Convention, visit their website. https://www.optobio.com/

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (commonly called ELISA) is the immunological examination done to measure the antibodies, antigens, proteins and, glycoproteins in biological samples. Elisa test is mainly utilized in healthcare, research, and food safety environments for measuring the target chemical components such as hormones, antibodies, and protein biomarkers. This particular test depends on the immunoglobulin (antibodies) to detect the target antigen with the help of highly specific antibody-antigen interactions. It is one of the easiest tests because it is rapid and quick. Moreover, samples routinely used in ELISAs include serum, plasma, saliva, cell culture super nates, urine and tissue lysates.

ELISA assay is performed with the help of 96 well plates, which allows measuring multiple samples in one test. These plates are the special absorbent plates coated with a capture antibody specific for the analysis of interest. Upon incubation, the target analyte is captured by this antibody. Next, a conjugated detection antibody is used to bind to a different epitope on the target analyte to complete the sandwich. A substrate solution is subsequently added to determine the presence and amount of analyte. Elisa test is used for diagnosing HIV infection, pregnancy, zika virus, pernicious anemia, syphilis, rotavirus, coronavirus etc.

The ELISA assay test has been used as a diagnostic tool in the medicinal field, plant pathology, biotechnology, and quality control check in various industries.

Advantages of ELISA test

This test is often preferred because of its high sensitivity and specificity. ELISA gives more accurate results and diagnosis as compared to any other techniques.

It is usually done in 96 well microplate formats. The main advantage of the ELISA test is that 96 determinations can be performed in a single run. You can get results in less than 3 hours. So, it is both quick and efficient for performing immediate analysis without any complex sample pre-treatment.

This test does not require radioisotopes or any other costly radiation counters. ELISA test requires accurate micropipettes, an incubator, a washing system, and a microplate spectrophotometer reader.

With fully automated ELISA processing systems, various examinations can be done. The fully automated robotic machines for the ELISA test can perform the entire test from start to end. The process can be done up to 15 assays per day shift.

ELISA test is considered a flexible tool for all medical professionals and laboratories worldwide because it tests antigens and antibodies.

This particular test is eco-friendly and safe because there is no use of any radioactive substance.

What are the different types of ELISA antibody tests?

ELISA assay can be done with various modifications based on the basic procedure – direct, indirect, sandwich ELISA test.

Direct ELISA – It is the simplest form of ELISA test, which requires antigens to be absorbed on the multi-well plate and then bound by a labeled “detection” antibody. The antigen-coated on the plate is detected by the antibody which are directly associated to an enzyme. As only one antibody is used in a direct ELISA, they are less precise.

Indirect ELISA – The indirect ELISA test technique uses a two-step detection process. This test involves two binding processes for primary antibody and labeled secondary antibody. Firstly, an unlabeled primary antibody binds to the specific antigen. Then, an enzyme is joined to the secondary antibody directed against the primary antibody’s host species. This method is highly sensitive because more than one labeled antibody binds to the primary antibody. Indirect ELISA is a more economical procedure than the direct ELISA test. But this test poses a potential risk for cross-reactivity caused by secondary antibody.

Sandwich ELISA – Sandwich ELISA or sandwich immunoassay is among the most commonly used testing formats and is done to measure the antigen between 2 layers of antibodies (capture and detection antibody). This test requires combining antibodies to two different epitopes on the target protein for higher specificity. Antibodies are immobilized on the surface of the multi-well plate and incubated first with the target protein and then with a specific antibody is added, which is labeled with an enzyme. Thus, facilitating the detection of the antigens. Sandwich ELISA assay is highly sensitive than the direct and indirect ELISA tests. It delivers highly specific results because it uses two antibodies for detecting the antigens.

The best ELISA test kit by Optofluidic Bioassay –

MicroFluere Human Interleukin 6 (IL-6)

Optofluidic Bioassay is proud to offer the best ELISA kit for quantitative measurement of natural and recombinant human Interleukin 6 (IL-6). The ELISA test kit by Optofluidic Bioassay guarantees to give précised, consistent and reliable results. We even generate optimized paired antibodies for the customized sandwich ELISA test. The ELISA kit contains sufficient materials to run 5 MicroFluere pre-coated 96-well plates.