21/04/2026
Tired of choosing the right protein quantification method for your experiments? 🧪
Here's a clear, research-backed breakdown from The Complete Guide to Protein Quantification (Part 1) to help you decide in 60s:
🔹 Two Core Categories
1. Non‑specific quantification
Measures total protein — no antigen‑antibody binding needed.
◾ UV 280 nm: Fast, non‑destructive, best for pure proteins
◾ BCA: Stable, wide linear range, detergent‑tolerant (most popular total protein assay)
◾ Bradford: Low‑cost, quick screening (sensitive to detergents)
2. Specific quantification
Targets one specific protein via antigen‑antibody binding.
◾ ELISA: Mature, affordable, beginner‑friendly
◾ Chemiluminescence (CLIA): Higher sensitivity than ELISA
◾ TR‑FRET: Wash‑free, high‑throughput, ideal for drug screening & protein interactions
✅ Quick Cheat Sheet
◾ Total protein → BCA (stable), UV (fast), Bradford (budget)
◾ Specific protein → ELISA (routine), CLIA (sensitive), TR‑FRET (high‑throughput)
Master these basics and you can handle ~80% of daily protein quantification work. 👩🔬👨🔬