Serum Samples
Serum Samples - Related Videos
08:43
Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Healthy Volunteers and Their Migratory Potential Influenced by Serum Samples After Cardiac Surgery
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Cited by 9 •
2017
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucially involved in the neovascularization of ischemic tissues. This method describes the isolation of human EPCs from peripheral blood, as well as the identification of their migratory potential against serum samples of cardiac surgical patients.
10:34
Measurement of Differentially Methylated INS DNA Species in Human Serum Samples as a Biomarker of Islet β Cell Death
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Cited by 12 •
2016
Islet β cell death precedes development of type 1 diabetes, and detecting this process may allow for early therapeutic intervention. Here, we provide a detailed description of how to measure differentially methylated INS DNA species in human serum as a biomarker of β cell death.
06:44
Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum
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Cited by 13 •
2014
This protocol describes a method for extracting small RNAs from human serum. We have used this method to isolate microRNAs from cancer serum for use in DNA arrays and also singleplex quantitative PCR. The protocol utilizes phenol and guanidinium thiocyanate reagents with modifications to yield high quality RNA.
08:44
Dried Blood and Serum Spots As A Useful Tool for Sample Storage to Evaluate Cancer Biomarkers
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Cited by 9 •
2018
This protocol describes a simple and useful method to store peripheral blood and serum/plasma for downstream analyses such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) evaluation and ELISA assay.
04:45
Multianalyte Immunobead Assay: A Flow-Based Immunoassay Technique for Concurrent Detection of Multiple Antibody Subtypes in Human Serum Sample
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2025
This video describes an immunoassay technique using fluorescent magnetic beads or microspheres coupled with different antigens to simultaneously detect various antibody isotypes in a serum sample. The assay is helpful in understanding seroconversion during an infection or post-vaccination.
FAQs
Allowing blood to clot changes what remains available for analysis. The clot and cellular material are removed during centrifugation, while antibodies, antigens, proteins, and other soluble biomarkers remain in the separated liquid. This makes serum useful when an assay is designed to measure circulating, cell-free signals rather than cellular components.
Serological assays use serum to look for either pathogen-specific antibodies or circulating antigens. Antibody measurements help assess immune responses and disease exposure, whereas antigen measurements target a different analyte associated with infection. Selecting one or both targets connects the laboratory result with questions about infection status, prior exposure, or immune protection.
Analyte stability depends on how the sample is handled and stored after separation. Poor control of these steps can compromise the concentration or detectability of soluble biomarkers, antibodies, or antigens, weakening interpretation. Consistent processing and storage are therefore important for reliable comparisons across diagnostic tests, infection studies, and immune-response measurements.
Preparation begins by collecting blood and allowing it to clot. Centrifugation then separates the resulting liquid from the clot and cellular material. The separated serum must be handled carefully and stored appropriately to preserve analyte stability. This workflow produces a sample suitable for serological assays, biomarker measurements, and other infection-related analyses.
Serum supports several analytical purposes, including serological assays, diagnostic testing, and biomarker analysis. Investigators can examine pathogen-specific antibodies, circulating antigens, proteins, and other soluble indicators. These measurements help connect laboratory findings with disease exposure, infection status, and immune responses in immunology and infection studies.
Vaccine studies can use serum measurements to evaluate immune responses associated with vaccination. Analyses may focus on pathogen-specific antibodies or other soluble biomarkers, depending on the study objective. The resulting data help researchers examine immune protection and relate measured responses to broader questions about infection and immunity.
In epidemiological surveillance, serum provides a source for measuring pathogen-specific antibodies, circulating antigens, and other infection-related biomarkers across samples. These results can help evaluate disease exposure and infection status at a population level. When carefully processed and stored, the samples support consistent comparisons between laboratory findings and patterns of immune response.