This book provides basic simple and logical explanations for choices to be made to run the
best Elispot possible. It allows the newcomer to truly understand the best options for specific
protocol steps reagents and materials and provides even the experienced Elispot user with
insight into best practices. The techniques presented here are supported by the author's
twenty-plus years of first-hand experience working with this assay as well as the shared
experiences of numerous colleagues and collaborators. The enzyme-linked immunospot (Elispot)
assay is a widely used technique to monitor cells on the single cell level for the release of
analytes like cytokines chemokines or immunoglobulins (antibodies) in response to particular
stimuli. The most important feature of Elispot is its outstanding sensitivity allowing the
detection of specific cells in very low frequencies. The advantages of Elispot have resulted in
it being widely adapted for use in research and translational applications in numerous fields
including cancer infectious diseases autoimmunity and transplantation.
