ELISA: HIV/AIDS Test Simulation

Lab Investigation

Investigate the principals behind AIDS testing.

Explore the immuological principle that antibodies bind to specific antigens. Your class will learn how ELISA - Enzyme Linked Immunoassay - is a fundamental clinical tool used for the detection of the AIDS virus. They will conduct simulated ELISA screening assays on simulated blood sera of ten individuals to determine their HIV status. In the process, they will learn about basic immunology as well as specifics concerning the assay "positive" and "negative" controls as well as what "false positive" and "false negative" results mean.

Accommodates class size of 40 students.