Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technology is a robust method of detecting targets within a sample. Scientific discoveries have been contributing to ELISA development and refinement for over 80 years. Experts continue to use ELISA technology for some of the most prominent medical breakthroughs in history. Let’s look at how it all began!
In the United States in 1941, Albert H. Coons and his team were the first to label antibodies in tissue sections with a fluorescent dye. This was the first time antibody signals were visually identified, and the technology became known as immunofluorescence.
In 1960, a scientific paper written by Rosalyn Sussman and Solomon Berson described radioimmunoassay; an assay technique using radiolabeled molecules in a stepwise formation of immune complexes. However, due to radioactivity’s correlation with health issues, researchers turned their focus onto a safer technique.
In 1971 in Sweden, Eva Engvall and Peter Perlman of Stockholm University independently built on previous discoveries to invent a technique known as the “ELISA test”. This method used antibodies to detect the presence of hormones or viruses in samples.
Competitive ELISA method was first utilized in 1976. A conjugated substrate competed with human choriogonadotropin hormone (HCG) to determine the presence and concentration of HCG in the sample.
The following year, sandwich ELISA was developed and tested on various substances to prove the concept of ELISA.
In 1985, ELISA was utilized to become the first screening test for HIV. It was officially approved for use on March 2nd, 1985.
Since 2020, ELISA technology is commonly used to test for antibodies of COVID-19 in response to the ongoing global pandemic.
ELISA technology has evolved immensely since the first discovery of immunofluorescence in the 1940s. Researchers continue to rely on this robust and refined method of antigen detection. Reddot Biotech is excited to see which scientific breakthrough will be brought to us by ELISA technology next!
We offer a wide variety of Research-Use ELISA Kits to help you confidently detect antigens in your samples. Browse our high-quality ELISA Kits here.
