A virtual ELISA to quantitate COVID‐19 antibodies in patient serum. Issue 5 (14th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simpson, Kevin; Jakubowski, Henry V.
• Is Part Of: Biochemistry and molecular biology education. Volume 48:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 467
• Page End: 468
• Publication Date: 2020-07-14
• Subjects: distance learning -- laboratory exercises -- web‐based learning; Biochemistry -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 572.071
• DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-8175

Abstract

Abstract: Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used widely in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and clinical medicine labs. At the same time, they appear to be underrepresented in chemistry and biochemistry curricula, even though their sensitivity, selectivity, and ease of use would argue for their widespread use. We describe here an online ELISA activity suitable for stand‐alone use or in conjunction with an actual wet lab ELISA. Specifically, we offer real and mock data for a hypothetical ELISA to detect plasma antibodies to COVID‐19 in infected patients who have had the disease. Much of the activity focuses on chemical and mathematical models to fit ELISA or any macromolecule/ligand binding data, a skill that addresses perhaps the most relevant and difficult learning goal of an ELISA experiment.