In this lab, students will explore how the principles of antibody-based human immunity apply to a common laboratory test called an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). ELISA is commonly used to identify disease-causing pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. This assay diagnoses an infection by directly screening for the presence of pathogen-specific antigens or indirectly screening for the presence of pathogen-specific antibodies.
Student teams will work to diagnose six patients at risk of HIV infection using a simulation of an indirect ELISA. This kit is a simulated ELISA and does not include actual HIV; thus, there is no risk of infection from the materials included in this lab.
Objectives
After completing this lab, you will be able to:
- apply the basic principles of antibody-mediated immunity
- describe how an ELISA can be used as a diagnostic tool
- diagnose and treat a patient given the results of an ELISA test