The Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISpot) assay is a widely-used method for monitoring cellular immune responses.
It is based on the principle of an ELISA, but works with cells. Rather than measuring the presence of antibodies or antigens in a suspension (as is done in ELISA).
The ELISpot (Enzyme Linked Immuno Spot) assay will measure the presence of antibody-secreting cells (or cytokine-secreting cells). In the end, the secreting cells are washed away but the antibodies or cytokine they have secreted can be isualised. They can be observed under a microscope as spots (hence the name), which can be counted.
Teaching and Reading software from MicroTechniX determines the number, size and intensities of the spots automatically.