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ELISA kits for human, mouse, rat and other species

Quantitative ELISA kits for hematology, metabolism, neuroscience, oncology and endocrinology research. Tell us the target and species and we confirm the kit, its detection range and the sample types it has been validated for.

Last reviewed

Gloved hands holding a 96-well plate with red-stained wells
On this page
  1. Key points
  2. What the range covers
  3. How to choose an ELISA kit
  4. Sandwich and competitive kits
  5. Sample types and preparation
  6. What a typical kit contains
  7. Quotes, documents and delivery
  8. Questions

Key points

  • Kits for human, mouse, rat and other species across hematology, metabolism, neuroscience, oncology and endocrinology.
  • Choose by target and species first, then check that the detection range and validated sample types match your samples.
  • Sandwich kits suit proteins with two binding sites; competitive kits suit small molecules such as cGMP, cortisol and peptides.
  • Send the target or catalogue number with the species and sample type, and we quote with the kit manual attached.

What the range covers

The range covers quantitative ELISA kits for human, mouse and rat samples, and kits for other species, such as sheep, cattle, pigs and chickens, for veterinary and comparative research. Tell us the species and we check which targets are available. Most kits are supplied as a pre-coated 96-well plate with everything needed for one standard curve and up to about 40 samples in duplicate.

ELISA kits by research area
Research areaTypical targetsCommon samples
HematologyErythropoietin (EPO), ferritin, coagulation factorsSerum, plasma
MetabolismInsulin, adiponectin, leptin, cyclic GMP (cGMP)Serum, plasma, tissue homogenate
Neuroscienceα-synuclein, BDNF, tau, neuropeptidesCSF, serum, brain homogenate
OncologyVEGF, TIMP-1, NF-κB pathway proteinsSerum, cell culture supernatant, cell lysate
EndocrinologyACTH, cortisol, thyroid hormones, testosteroneSerum, plasma, saliva

How to choose an ELISA kit

Most mismatches between a kit and an experiment come from one of these eight checks. Work through them in order before you order.

  1. Target identity. Confirm the exact protein, including isoform and whether you need total or phosphorylated protein. Use the gene symbol to avoid confusion between similarly named targets.
  2. Species. Antibodies raised against one species’ protein often do not bind another’s. Only rely on cross-reactivity that the datasheet shows with data.
  3. Validated sample types. A kit validated for serum may give different results in tissue homogenate. Check that your matrix is listed.
  4. Detection range and sensitivity. Your expected concentrations, after dilution, should fall in the middle of the standard curve, not at its edges.
  5. Format. Sandwich for proteins, competitive for small molecules. The guide to ELISA types explains why.
  6. Precision. Look for intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation, spike recovery and linearity of dilution on the datasheet.
  7. Time and equipment. Total assay time, incubation temperature and a plate reader that reads at 450 nm, ideally with a 570 or 630 nm correction.
  8. Shelf life and shipping. Most kits travel and are stored at 2–8 °C. Check the expiry date against when you plan to run the samples.

Sandwich and competitive kits

In a sandwich ELISA the target is captured by one antibody on the plate and detected by a second antibody against a different site. Signal rises with concentration. It is the most specific format, and the usual choice for proteins such as cytokines, growth factors and hormones above a few kilodaltons.

In a competitive ELISA the target in your sample competes with a labelled or coated version of itself for a limited amount of antibody. Signal falls as concentration rises. Small molecules with only one binding site, such as cGMP, cortisol and short peptides, are measured this way.

Sandwich vs competitive ELISA kits
SandwichCompetitive
Best forProteins with two epitopesSmall molecules and peptides
Signal vs concentrationIncreasesDecreases
Antibodies neededMatched capture and detection pairOne antibody
Typical targetsTIMP-1, VEGF, EPO, insulincGMP, cortisol, testosterone

Sample types and preparation

Sample handling causes more ELISA failures than the kit itself. The table summarises the essentials; the full method for each sample is in the ELISA sample preparation guide.

Preparing common ELISA samples
SamplePreparationWatch for
SerumClot at room temperature, centrifuge, aliquotHaemolysis, repeated freeze-thaw
PlasmaEDTA, heparin or citrate tube; centrifuge within 30 minutesAnticoagulant listed as compatible on the datasheet
Cell culture supernatantCentrifuge to remove cells and debrisSerum proteins in the medium
Cell or tissue lysateLyse on ice with protease inhibitors, clarify, measure proteinDetergents the kit does not tolerate
Saliva, urine, CSFCentrifuge; dilute as the manual directsLow concentrations and matrix effects

For lysates, the guide to lysis buffers explains which detergents are gentle enough for immunoassays.

What a typical kit contains

Contents vary by manufacturer, and the kit manual we send lists them. A typical sandwich kit includes:

  • A 96-well plate pre-coated with capture antibody, usually as 12 strips of 8 wells
  • Lyophilised or liquid standards for the calibration curve
  • Biotinylated detection antibody and streptavidin-HRP conjugate
  • Sample and standard diluent, and concentrated wash buffer
  • TMB substrate and an acidic stop solution
  • Plate sealers and the manual with the full protocol

You supply a plate reader at 450 nm, calibrated pipettes, a plate washer or wash bottle, deionised water and, for most kits, an incubator at 37 °C.

Quotes, documents and delivery

Send the target or catalogue number, species, sample type and the number of plates. We reply with the kit manual or datasheet, the price for your quantity, lead time and how the kit ships to your country. Kits that need cold-chain shipping travel at 2–8 °C.

Planning a full study? Pair the kits with antibodies for western blot or IHC to confirm what the ELISA shows, or with enzyme activity and cell assays for function.

Questions we get asked

Can I use a human ELISA kit on mouse or rat samples?

Only if the datasheet shows cross-reactivity data for that species. Kits use antibodies raised against one species' protein, and sequence differences often stop them binding another species' version. Use a kit validated for your species, or send us the catalogue number and we check the cross-reactivity data.

What is the difference between sensitivity and detection range?

Sensitivity, or the lowest detectable dose, is the smallest concentration the kit can tell apart from zero. The detection range is the span of the standard curve where results are quantitative. Your samples, after any dilution, should sit inside the detection range, ideally near its middle.

How many samples fit on one 96-well plate?

A standard curve of seven points plus a blank, run in duplicate, takes 16 wells. That leaves 80 wells, or 40 samples in duplicate. Duplicates are the usual minimum for quantitative results.

How are ELISA kits shipped and stored?

Most kits ship and are stored at 2–8 °C, and some components need -20 °C. Store each component as the manual says on arrival and use the kit before its expiry date. We confirm cold-chain shipping for your country when we quote.

Are these ELISA kits for diagnostic use?

Kits in this range are generally supplied for research use only. If you need a kit for clinical diagnosis, tell us the country and intended use and we will confirm what is available and how it is registered there.

Guides for ELISA kits

All lab guides

Getting a quote

Send the details on the right with your list. Orders often combine ranges, so add anything else you need and we quote it together.

Your enquiry

What to tell us

Target
Protein or analyte name, gene symbol or UniProt ID
Species
Human, mouse, rat or other
Sample type
Serum, plasma, supernatant, lysate or other
Expected level
The concentration you expect to measure
Quantity
Number of 96-well plates
Destination
Country of delivery

Send us your list.

Product names or catalogue numbers, quantities and the delivery country. We'll confirm availability, lead time and the documents that ship with the order.