Understanding ELISA Types: A Guide for Scientists and Lab Teams

ELISA remains a cornerstone assay in life sciences, diagnostics, and biotech, offering reliable detection of proteins, antibodies, and small molecules. This guide compares the four primary ELISA types—Direct, Indirect, Sandwich, and Competitive—highlighting their methodologies, strengths, limitations, and practical considerations like assay time and kit cost. Whether you’re optimizing a lab protocol or selecting a commercial kit, this article provides clear insight into choosing the right ELISA format for your research or regulatory needs.