Use of Enzymes in Laboratory Investigations: Enzyme-Based Assays

Limitations and Challenges of Enzyme-Based Assays

Enzymes play a crucial role in laboratory investigations, particularly in enzyme-based assays used for diagnostics and research. These assays leverage enzymatic reactions to detect and quantify biological substances, making them indispensable tools in pathology.

Challenges of Enzyme-Based Assays

Specificity and Sensitivity Issues

Despite their effectiveness, enzyme-based assays face challenges in specificity and sensitivity, often resulting in false positives or negatives due to cross-reactivity.

Environmental Influences

Temperature, pH, and other environmental factors can significantly impact enzyme activity, leading to variability in assay results.

Stability and Storage Limitations

Enzymes are prone to degradation over time, requiring careful handling and storage conditions to maintain assay reliability.

Future Directions

Advancements in molecular pathology and enzyme engineering aim to overcome these limitations, enhancing assay precision and efficiency for clinical and research applications.