1. ELISA plates, also known as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates, are widely used laboratory tools in biology, medicine, food testing, and related fields. They are primarily designed for the detection of antibodies, antigens, proteins, and other analytes in liquid samples. From disease diagnostics to food safety testing, ELISA plates play an indispensable role in modern analytical applications.

2. Structure and Types of ELISA Plates

ELISA plates typically consist of 96 individual wells, with each well used for sample addition and detection. The most common format is the 96-well plate, while 384-well or higher-density formats are used for high-throughput applications. The wells are generally made of plastic, most commonly polystyrene, to ensure efficient adsorption and reliable interactions between samples and reagents.

3. Working Principle of ELISA Plates

ELISA plates play a critical role in ELISA assays. The method is based on enzyme-labeled antibodies that detect antigens immobilized on 96-well or 384-well plates. After the addition of a suitable substrate, the enzyme catalyzes a reaction that produces a colorimetric or luminescent signal proportional to the amount of antigen present in the original sample. The antibodies specifically bind to the target molecules in the sample, and following this binding, the enzymatic reaction generates a measurable signal. This signal is then analyzed using a microplate reader, allowing quantitative or qualitative evaluation. ELISA is a simple and rapid technique for detecting antibodies or antigens attached to a solid surface.

4. How to Choose the Right ELISA Plate

ELISA plates are primarily made of polystyrene (PS). Through hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonds, or covalent binding, biological molecules such as antigens and antibodies can be efficiently immobilized on the inner surface of the wells.

01 Different Colors

Depending on the detection method, ELISA plates are available in different colors. NEST currently offers clear, white, and black ELISA plates.

Clear plates: mainly used for absorbance (optical density) measurements

White plates: mainly used for chemiluminescence and colorimetric substrate detection

Black plates: mainly used for fluorescence detection

02 Detachable vs. Non-detachable Plates

▶ Non-detachable ELISA plates: the strips are permanently fixed to the frame

▶ Detachable ELISA plates: the strips can be removed from the frame, and even individual wells can be detached, offering high flexibility—especially suitable for experiments with variable sample numbers

5. How to Use ELISA Plates–Key Tips

1) Sample Addition

Accurate volume, vertical pipetting, contamination prevention

2) Mixing and Incubation

Mix well; incubate at 37 °C for 1 hour or overnight at room temperature

3) Bubble and Contamination Prevention

4) Plate Handling

Rinse with PBS wash buffer, then with deionized water; dry and store in a cool, shaded place

5) Washing

Wash multiple times with PBS wash buffer; gently shake or use an automatic plate washer

6) Detection and Analysis

Instrument settings, control setup

7) Error Control

Same batch, control wells, repeat experiments