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Calculating the True Cost of ELISAs
ELISAs are commonly viewed as an economical and effective way to quantify levels of a specific target within a sample. ELISAs are usually run in 96-well microplates coated with a capture antibody specific for the analyte of interest. While they are excellent analytical tools, there are some disadvantages to ELISAs, especially when they are a frequently used assay in your lab. Disadvantages of ELISAs include multiple manual steps, lengthy time to results, and large sample volume needed to run the assay.
| Prep Time | Time to Results | Sample Size | Samples Processed | Cost per Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional ELISAs | 90 minutes | 4.5 hours | 200 µL | 40 (96 well plate: results in duplicate) |
$13.75 |
| Simple Plex | 15 minutes | 1.5 hours | 25 µL | 72 (72x1 cartridge: results in triplicate) |
$10.97 |
Evolve Your ELISA with Simple Plex Assays on Ella
With Simple Plex™ assays on Ella™, the format emulates a traditional sandwich ELISA, however, everything is pre-loaded onto a cartridge. Users simply dilute the samples and run the analyzer without the tedious, manual preparation steps common in a traditional ELISA. Miniaturization and automation of the assay not only improves setup and operational efficiency, but also helps remove many potential sources of variability resulting in more accurate and reproducible results.
Automated Simple Plex assays on Ella delivers substantial value:
- Reduce assay manual operation by up to 75 percent
- Achieve the same reproducible results across multiple users and multiple sites
- Get fully analyzed answers in just 90 minutes or less
- Preserve precious sample volumes
Accelerating Your Time to Results
With Simple Plex assays on Ella, all you need to do is add your diluted samples and wash buffer to the cartridge, scan the barcode to import the preloaded standard curves, place it into Ella, and press start. With the automated workflow, there are only 10 to 15 minutes of hands-on assay prep time, and the platform gives you fully analyzed results in 75 minutes. Compare that to a traditional ELISA where you often spend significant time setting up your assay and performing washes, antibody incubations, and detection.
Conserving Sample Volumes
With limited sample volumes, getting maximum return on your data from each test is critical. With traditional ELISAs, each sample needs to be run multiple times. To generate duplicate data, you’ll need up to 200 µL of sample. With Simple Plex assays on Ella, you can get built-in triplicate results for every assay in the panel (up to 8) using as little as 25 µL of sample volume. Factory calibrated standard curves come with each cartridge, eliminating the need to prepare your own standard curve, saving significant time and cost.
Evaluating the ELISA Cost-Benefit Equation
To uncover the potential time and cost-saving advantages inherent in the automated Ella platform, we compared the cost-per-reportable results of a Simple Plex 72x1 (72 samples per one analyte) assay run on Ella with duplicate results from a traditional 96-well plate ELISA. In evaluating the results, we found a cost savings of $2.78 per result (this cost savings does not factor in labor cost). The ability to generate high-quality data while dramatically reducing time and costs provides a powerful return on investment advantage.
| By the numbers | Simple Plex Assay | Traditional ELISA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per Assay | $790 | $550 |
| Cost per Reportable Result | $10.97 | $13.75 |
| Format | 72x1 cartridge | 96-well plate |
| Wells for Standard Curve | 0 | 16 (8-point curve in duplicate) |
| Available Wells for Samples | 72 | 80 |
| Number of Reportable Results | 72 (each sample run in triplicate) |
40 (each sample run in duplicate) |
Discover What Ella Can Do For You
From cell and gene therapy to immune-oncology, Simple Plex assays running on Ella offer a viable ELISA alternative for rapid multiplex and multi-analyte analysis across a broad range of research and clinical applications.
The fully automated Ella system offers an attractive alternative to traditional plate-based ELISAs. All the assay steps on Ella are highly automated thanks to the microfluidic cartridge—everything is preloaded, even the calibration curve. Simply add sample and buffers, load the cartridge into the instrument, and walk away. Then watch Ella give you fully analyzed answers in just one 75 minutes.
