The HIV 1 & 2, western blot test price test is done to find out whether a person has antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This confirmatory test is typically done following a positive result from an initial screening test, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

To undergo this simple blood test, you will need to visit a healthcare clinic and have blood taken from your arm. You may be asked to fill out a consent form or provide a previous medical history in advance of the procedure.

Western Blot Test: What It Is and When to Use It

Once the sample has been collected, it is separated using electricity and moved to a nitrocellulose membrane. The membrane is then coated with antibody-linked antibodies against HIV proteins. If HIV antibodies are present in the sample, they will bind to these proteins and cause them to change colour.

While thinking about lab expenses may not be as exciting as gaining new insights into your signaling pathway of choice, it’s important to keep in mind that the quality of antibodies can make or break your experiment. Choosing validated antibodies maximizes your chances of success, ensuring that the results you achieve are accurate and valid. If not, the results of your western will be unreliable and could cost you more than you realise.