Lateral Flow Assay

A lateral flow assay (LFA), also known as a lateral flow test or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), is a simple and rapid diagnostic tool used to detect the presence or absence of a specific substance or analyte in a sample. LFAs are commonly used in medical diagnostics, food safety testing, environmental monitoring, and other fields. In case of medical diagnostic tests based out of lateral flow assay, a specific biomarker or a protein is biochemically interacted with its counter-molecule like antibodies to help aid detection. The basic principle of a lateral flow assay involves the capillary action of fluids through a strip of nitrocellulose membrane, which contains specific components to facilitate the detection of the target analyte. The test strip typically consists of the major components like, Sample Pad, Conjugate Pad, Nitrocellulose Membrane, Absorbent Pad and a Backing Laminate on which all components of a LFA are assembled. LFA based test can detect a single analyte or could detect more than one analyte thus making a multiplex LFAs.