Case study: ELISA platform for epitope mapping
Scientific challenge
Developing ext-generation vaccines
A biotechnology company developing next-generation dengue and Zika vaccines sought to identify viral epitopes capable of eliciting neutralising antibodies while minimising the theoretical risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
The first stage of the programme required the rapid screening of multiple engineered epitopes to determine whether they remained recognisable by well-characterised neutralising antibodies. Candidate epitopes would subsequently be evaluated in vivo before returning to VRS for functional assessment using neutralisation and ADE assays.
Virus |
Dengue virus (all four serotypes), Zika virus |
Project |
Epitope mapping for vaccine development |
Assay |
Bespoke ELISA |
Client |
Virtual biotechnology company |
Stage |
Research & Development |
Services |
Bespoke assay development, ELISA, neutralisation assay, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) assay |
Related expertise |
Vaccine development, flaviviruses, assay optimisation |
Key considerations
A flexible platform
Commercial ELISA kits were unsuitable because each antigen was unique and evolved throughout the programme.
Instead, the assay platform needed to be:
- adaptable to different recombinant epitopes,
- sufficiently modular to support direct, indirect and competition ELISA configurations,
- compatible with different antibody isotypes and analytical objectives.
The priority was not simply to optimise a single ELISA, but to establish a flexible platform that could evolve alongside the vaccine development programme.
Our Approach
A systematic evaluation
Working closely with the client, VRS designed and optimised a bespoke ELISA workflow capable of supporting multiple experimental configurations while maintaining robust assay performance.
Rather than focusing on one specific protocol, we systematically evaluated each stage of the workflow to ensure consistent performance across different antigen formats and assay designs. This included optimisation of plate selection, coating strategies, buffer systems, incubation conditions and readout parameters, allowing the platform to accommodate changing project requirements without requiring complete redevelopment.
Outcome
R&D progression
The resulting modular ELISA platform provided highly reproducible characterisation of candidate epitopes throughout the programme.
Selected epitopes were synthesised by specialist manufacturing partners and evaluated in vivo before serum samples returned to VRS for downstream neutralisation and antibody-dependent enhancement studies.
By integrating bespoke ELISA development with functional virology assays across all four dengue virus serotypes and Zika virus, VRS supported the client’s iterative optimisation of vaccine candidates while demonstrating the absence of enhanced infection under the experimental conditions evaluated.
The programme successfully progressed to its next stage of development.
VRS INSIGHT
The value of assay platforms
This project demonstrated the value of designing assay platforms rather than individual assays.
Developing a modular ELISA workflow enabled the project to adapt as new epitopes, antibodies and scientific questions emerged, reducing redevelopment time while maintaining assay consistency throughout the programme.
The experience also strengthened VRS’s capability to coordinate complex multi-partner projects involving reagent manufacturers, animal research organisations and integrated downstream virology testing.
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