Protocols
Indirect ELISA
Required Reagents:
Antigen
Primary Antibody
HRP Conjugated Secondary Conjugate
Coating Buffer, 0.05 M Carbonate-Bicarbonate, pH 9.6
Wash Solution, 50 mM Tris, 0.14 M NaCl, 0.05% Tween 20, pH 8.0
Blocking (Postcoat) Solution, 50 mM Tris, 0.14 M NaCl, 1% BSA, pH 8.0
Sample/Conjugate Diluent, 50 mM Tris, 0.14 M NaCl, 1% BSA, 0.05% Tween 20, pH 8.0
Enzyme Substrate, TMB
Stop Solution, 0.18 M H2SO4 or other appropriate solution
High Protein Binding Microtiter Plate (i.e. Nunc C bottom Immunoplate 96 well, 446612)
Preparation of Reagents:
Bethyl Laboratories ELISA Accessory Kit may be used or prepare the following reagents as specified below.
Coating Buffer
3.7 g Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
0.64 g Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
1 L of distilled water
Tris Buffered Saline (TBS)
6.06 g Tris Base
8.2 g NaCl
6.0 ml 6 M HCl
1 L of distilled water
pH should be 7.2 to 7.8, conductivity should be 14,000 to 16,000
Wash Solution
1 L of TBS
5 ml of 10% Tween 20
Blocking (Postcoat) Solution
1 L of TBS
10 g BSA
Sample/Conjugate Diluent
1 L of TBS
10 g of BSA
5 ml of 10% Tween 20
0.18 M H2SO4
Stock is 18 M
10 ml of Stock solution
1 L distilled water
Procedure:
(Perform all steps at room temperature.)
Coat with Antigen
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Determine the number of single wells needed. Standards, samples, blanks and/or controls should be analyzed in duplicate.
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Dilute the antigen in Coating Buffer to the desired concentration. For purified antigens 1 – 2 mcg/ml is sufficient. For non-purified antigens, optimal concentration needs to be determined. Transfer 100 mcl of diluted antigen to each well.
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Incubate coated plate for 60 minutes.
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After incubation, aspirate the Antigen solution from each well.
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Wash each well with Wash Solution as follows:
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Fill each well with Wash Solution
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Remove Wash Solution by aspiration
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Repeat for a total of 3 washes.
Blocking (Postcoat)
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Add 200 mcl of Blocking (Postcoat) Solution to each well.
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Incubate 30 minutes.
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After incubation, remove the Blocking (Postcoat) Solution and wash each well three times.
Primary Antibody
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Dilute primary antibody samples in Sample/Conjugate Diluent as per manufacturer’s recommendation or determine optimal concentration empirically.
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Add 100 ul of diluted primary antibody to each well.
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Incubate 60 minutes.
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After incubation, remove the Blocking (Postcoat) Solution and wash each well three times.
HRP-Conjugated Secondary Antibody
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Dilute the HRP Conjugate Secondary Antibody in Conjugate Diluent to the optimal concentration.
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Transfer 100 mcl to each well.
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Incubate 60 minutes.
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After incubation, remove HRP Conjugate and wash each well 5 times.
Enzyme Substrate Reaction
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Prepare the substrate solution according to the manufacturer's recommendation. TMB is highly recommended but OPD or ABTS can be used.
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Transfer 100 mcl of substrate solution to each well.
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Incubate plate 5 - 30 minutes.
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To stop the TMB reaction, apply 100 mcl of 0.18 M H2SO4 to each well. If using another substrate, use the stop solution recommended by manufacturer.
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Using a microtiter plate reader, read the plate at the appropriate wavelength for the substrate. (450 nm for TMB)
Notes: This procedure is suitable for alkaline phosphatase conjugated antibody. Use an appropriate substrate for alkaline phosphatase