ELISA
Definition
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a plate-based analytical technique used to detect and quantify specific proteins, peptides, antibodies, or hormones in biological samples. The method relies on antigen-antibody interactions where a target molecule is captured by a specific antibody immobilized on a microplate surface, followed by detection using an enzyme-conjugated secondary antibody that produces a measurable colorimetric, fluorescent, or chemiluminescent signal. ELISA is fundamental in proteomics research for validating protein expression levels, measuring biomarker concentrations, and screening therapeutic antibodies. Its high sensitivity, specificity, and throughput make it essential for clinical diagnostics, drug development, and basic research applications where quantitative protein measurements are required.
Visualize ELISA in Nodes Bio
Researchers can visualize ELISA-derived protein quantification data within network contexts in Nodes Bio by mapping measured protein concentrations onto protein-protein interaction networks or signaling pathways. This enables identification of dysregulated protein hubs, visualization of biomarker panels across disease states, and integration of ELISA validation data with upstream omics discoveries to confirm key nodes in biological networks.
Visualization Ideas:
- Protein-protein interaction networks overlaid with ELISA quantification data as node sizes or colors
- Cytokine signaling pathways showing ELISA-measured concentration changes across experimental conditions
- Biomarker correlation networks connecting ELISA-validated proteins with clinical outcomes or disease phenotypes
Example Use Case
A pharmaceutical team investigating inflammatory bowel disease uses ELISA to measure cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17) in patient serum samples across different disease stages. They integrate these quantitative measurements with RNA-seq data in Nodes Bio to visualize how cytokine expression correlates with immune cell signaling networks. By mapping ELISA-validated protein concentrations onto known inflammatory pathways, they identify IL-6 as a central hub with elevated expression, guiding their selection of anti-IL-6 antibodies as potential therapeutic candidates for clinical trials.