Detection Methods
Assay kitsFoundational
The choice of signal chemistry determines your achievable sensitivity, required instrumentation, and sample compatibility. Understanding these trade-offs before selecting a kit saves costly optimization steps.
4
Detection chemistries
8
Decision attributes
fM – mM
LOD range covered
Assay kit detection chemistry — selecting your signal modality
| Attribute | Colorimetric | Fluorometric | Chemiluminescent | ELISA-based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection principle | Absorbance (visible light) | Fluorescence emission | Light emission (enzymatic / oxidative) | Enzyme-linked antibody signal |
| Sensitivity (LOD) | µM – mM range | nM – pM range | fM – aM range | pg/mL – ng/mL |
| Instrument required | Plate reader (340–750 nm) | Fluorescence plate reader | Luminometer or enhanced plate reader | Plate reader (450 nm standard) |
| Background interference | Moderate (colored samples) | Moderate (autofluorescence) | Low | Low |
| Dynamic range | ||||
| Multiplexing | Not standard | Possible (wavelength mux) | Limited | With bead arrays |
| Sample compatibility | Cell lysates, purified fractions, clear supernatants | Cell lysates, live cells, serum | Serum, plasma, cell supernatant | Serum, plasma, urine, tissue homogenate |
| Best for | Metabolites, enzyme activity, protein concentration (BCA/Bradford) | Oxidative stress, apoptosis, kinase activity, cell viability | Reporter assays, low-abundance biomarkers, ultra-sensitive detection | Validated biomarker quantification, clinical research samples |
Routine / rapid screening
Colorimetric — simplest workflow, widest instrument compatibility
Browse colorimetric kits →
Intracellular targets
Fluorometric — compatible with live-cell and real-time assay formats
Browse fluorometric kits →
Ultra-low abundance targets
Chemiluminescent — broadest dynamic range, fM-level detection
Browse chemiluminescent kits →
Validated clinical biomarkers
ELISA — gold standard specificity with widest validation precedent
Browse ELISA kits →
LOD = limit of detection. Absolute values are kit- and target-dependent — refer to individual CoAs.