Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

Immunology Virtual Lab

Start Interactive
Computer model of equipment from the virtual lab

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Enzymes & Reactions
  • Biotechnology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Immune System

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Virtual Labs

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
82 Users
Share This

Description

This interactive, modular lab explores how the ELISA method can be used to test blood samples for evidence of certain diseases.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a laboratory technique that detects and measures specific proteins. It can show whether a patient has antibodies related to certain diseases, making it useful for medical diagnoses. In this lab, students perform a virtual ELISA to test whether a particular antibody is present in a blood sample. Students engage in key science practices, including experimental design and data interpretation.

The lab contains an interactive lab space, an informational notebook, and embedded questions. It also includes supplementary resources, such as a glossary of scientific terms.

The accompanying worksheet provides structure and guidance as students perform the tutorials and experiments in the lab.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • ​​​​​​Explain how testing for antibodies can inform a medical diagnosis.
  • Describe the purpose, procedure, and potential limitations of an ELISA.

Estimated Time

One to several 50-minute class periods, depending on which sections are used.

Key Terms

antibody, antigen, autoimmune disease, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), humoral immunity, infection, laboratory technique, lupus, screening

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Version History

Date Published 02.27.96
Date Updated 10.27.22

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1; SEP3, SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

IST-3.A, IST-3.B; SP1, SP3

IB Biology (2016)

6.3, 11.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.2; ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2; DP1

Materials

Resource Google Folder (link)
Worksheet (PDF) 69 KB

Related Science News

2 types of testing look for COVID-19 infections new and old

Explore Related Content

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Photo of the paper model in action
Labs & Demos
Building a Paper Model of CRISPR-Cas9
Picture of a body cross section, highlighting various systems involved in immune response
Click & Learn
The Immune System
Image from the video
Clips
Cytotoxic T Cell in Action
Image of lactase cleaving sugars
Animations
Lactose Digestion in Infants
Image from the activity
Lessons
Blood Glucose Data Analysis
Graph from the activity
Data Points
Maternal Microbiota Impacts Offspring Immune System
Screen shot of Ed Yong from the video
Animated Shorts
Microbes from Mom: Vaginal Birth vs. C-Section
Image from the video
Animations
Targeting Infected Cells for Immune Defense
Image of a mosquito biting a human
Scientists at Work
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Graph of amylase copy number and diet
Data Points
Amylase Copy Number and Diet
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility