School of Biotechnology · Protein & immunotechniques
ELISA & Immunoassay Techniques
ELISA is the most widely used immunoassay in research and diagnostics development. This course teaches the formats, optimisation and analysis that turn absorbance values into reliable concentrations.
Course overview
ELISA & Immunoassay Techniques covers antibody–antigen principles and the main ELISA formats, with hands-on coating, blocking, antibody titration by checkerboard and detection.
Analysis sessions cover standard curves with four-parameter logistic fitting, limits of detection and quantification, precision and recovery, and a systematic approach to troubleshooting high background and weak signal.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Explain direct, indirect, sandwich and competitive ELISA
- Optimise coating and antibody concentrations by checkerboard titration
- Run a sandwich ELISA with standards and controls
- Fit standard curves and calculate concentrations
- Assess precision, recovery and limits of detection and troubleshoot
Skills you will practise
Eligibility and prerequisites
Who can apply
- Students and graduates of B.Sc., M.Sc., B.Tech., M.Tech., B.Pharm., M.Pharm. or a PhD programme in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, life sciences, pharmacy or allied health sciences
- Laboratory staff, research assistants and faculty who want structured bench training
- Participants must be 18 or older and follow the laboratory safety induction on day one
Prerequisites
- Undergraduate immunology or biochemistry
- Essential Laboratory Skills recommended
Best suited to
- Postgraduate students in immunology, biotechnology and biochemistry
- Researchers measuring proteins or antibodies
- Laboratory staff in assay development
Module-wise syllabus
5 modules, each with a bench practical performed by every participant.
Topics
- Antibody–antigen binding
- ELISA formats
- Detection systems
Topics
- Coating and blocking
- Checkerboard titration
- Washing technique
Topics
- Standards and dilutions
- Controls and replicates
- Plate-reader settings
Topics
- Four-parameter logistic fits
- Back-calculation
- LOD and LOQ
Topics
- Precision and recovery
- High background and weak signal
- Reporting
Practical sessions and projects
Practical assessment
Practical assessment
Run and analyse a sandwich ELISA independently and report concentrations, precision and recovery.
Assessed on technique, accuracy, safety and the laboratory record. A pass is required for the certificate.
- Immunoassay principles
Run a direct and an indirect ELISA on the same antigen and compare signals.
- Optimisation
Optimise capture and detection antibody concentrations by checkerboard titration.
- Sandwich ELISA
Quantify a protein in samples by sandwich ELISA.
- Analysis
Fit your standard curve and calculate sample concentrations with uncertainty.
- Validation and troubleshooting
Assess intra-assay precision and spike recovery and diagnose a problem plate.
Instruments, techniques and materials
Instruments and equipment
Techniques you will perform
- Plate coating and blocking
- Checkerboard titration
- Sandwich ELISA
- Standard-curve fitting
- Spike recovery
Materials
- Recombinant protein standards
- Matched antibody pairs
- Substrates and buffers
Core reading
- Engvall E, Perlmann P (1971). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): quantitative assay of immunoglobulin G. Immunochemistry 8:871–874.
- Assay Guidance Manual: Immunoassay methods (NCBI Bookshelf).
Duration, format and fees
- Next cohort
- Dates are sent with your admission offer
- Timetable
- Weekdays, 9:30 to 16:30, at our laboratory
- Payment
- Secure online payment link with your admission offer (UPI, cards, net banking). Instalments on request for fees above ₹15,000.
- Refunds
- See the refund and cancellation policy.
Instructor
The instructor for each cohort is named in your admission offer and on this page when the cohort is announced. Vedicgen instructors are selected for hands-on laboratory experience in the subject they teach, and every course is reviewed by a second subject expert.
Questions about who teaches a cohort? [email protected]
Certificate
Learners who complete the course and pass its practical assessment receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion for ELISA & Immunoassay Techniques, issued by Vivofold, stating the bench hours and techniques performed. Each certificate has a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check.
Apply for ELISA & Immunoassay Techniques
Apply
Send the form below. It takes about five minutes.
Review
An adviser confirms your fit and format within two working days.
Offer
You receive dates, timetable and a secure payment link.
Onboard
Safety briefing, lab address and joining instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Day one starts with a safety induction covering personal protective equipment, safe handling of reagents and biological material, spill response and waste segregation. All practicals use non-pathogenic material (Risk Group 1 organisms, established cell lines or synthetic templates) and are supervised throughout.
All reagents, kits, consumables, personal protective equipment, the lab manual and the certificate. Travel, accommodation and meals are not included. The laboratory address and joining instructions are sent with your admission letter.
Bench courses run in small groups so that every participant performs every practical personally, with an instructor-to-participant ratio that allows close supervision at the bench.
Yes. Learners who complete the course and pass its assessment receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion, issued by Vivofold. Every certificate carries a unique ID and a QR code that anyone, including an employer or admissions office, can check on the certificate verification page.
Apply with the form on this page. Live and in-person cohorts run through the year; the dates, timetable and joining details of the next cohort are sent with your admission offer and listed on this page once announced. Self-paced enrolment opens as soon as your application is accepted.
Yes. No course runs longer than four weeks, and the length is customisable: choose the standard schedule, an intensive one- to two-week schedule, weekends only, or a custom timetable. Pick your preference on the application form; colleges and teams can book their own dates.
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