The purpose of ELISAS is to detect specific protein antigens using antibodies. In laboratory medicine, ELISAS are commonly used to screen serum samples from animals to detect antibodies to a specific pathogen. In the research environment, ELISAS can be modified to detect a protein of interest. Method: 1. 96 well plates are coated with an antigen. Sites unoccupied by the antigen are blocked with a blocking buffer to prevent non-specific binding of sample. Draw this below: 2. Serum samples are added and incubated to allow specific antibodies to bind to specific antigen. Antibodies that do not recognize and bind specifically to the antigen remain unbound. Draw this below: Positive sample Negative sample 3. Non-specific antibodies that do not bind to the antigen are washed away. Draw this below. Positive sample Negative sample 4. An enzyme labeled (e.g. alkaline phosphatase or horseradish peroxidase) secondary antibody is incubated with the samples and binds tightly to sample antibody. Draw this below.

Immunology is the division of science involved with the immune reactions occurring in living organisms. The organisms are accustomed to evolving internal defense mechanisms to evade the invasion of microbial pathogens. Diverse cells are connected with st…