Measuring pharmacodynamic endpoints accurately is critical to advancing compounds toward clinical trials. While methods such as ELISA, RT-PCR, and western blotting are widely used, Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) immunoassays offer a compelling advantage in sensitivity, precision, and cost-efficiency. Our scientists run validated MSD assays across a broad range of therapeutic areas, enabling you to measure multiple biomarkers simultaneously from a single, small-volume sample — delivering richer data without increasing sample requirements or turnaround time.
How MSD works: the electrochemiluminescence principle
MSD technology is built on electrochemiluminescence (ECL), a highly sensitive detection method that generates light only at the electrode surface, dramatically reducing background signal compared to conventional colorimetric or fluorescence-based assays. Here is how the MSD assay principle works in practice:
Step 1
Capture antibody binds analyte to electrode surface
Step 2
Detection antibody labelled with SULFO-TAG™ binds analyte
Step 3
Electrical voltage applied to electrode triggers light emission
Step 4
Light intensity measured proportional to analyte concentration
Because the signal is generated electrochemically rather than optically, MSD achieves a detection range several orders of magnitude wider than standard ELISA making it especially valuable for low-abundance biomarkers such as cytokines, neurodegeneration markers, and phosphoproteins. Over 500 validated assay panels and custom kits are available, covering analytes across immunology, oncology, neurology, metabolism, and cardiovascular research.
If your target analyte is not covered by an existing kit, our experts can develop and validate a custom assay to your specifications.
Multiplex capability: up to 10 analytes per well
One of the most significant advantages of the MSD platform is its multiplex immunoassay capability. A single assay well can simultaneously quantify up to 10 analytes, each spatially separated by capture spots printed on the electrode surface. This means:
10×
analytes per well
≤25 µL
typical sample volume
500+
validated assay panels
Multiplexing reduces sample consumption, shortens study timelines, and lowers overall cost per data point, a meaningful advantage when working with precious in vivo samples from mouse models where tissue or plasma volume is limited.
MSD vs ELISA: key differences
| Feature | MSD assay | Standard ELISA |
|---|---|---|
| Detection method | Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) | Colorimetric or fluorescence |
| Multiplex capability | Up to 10 analytes/well | Typically 1 analyte/well |
| Dynamic range | 3–4 orders of magnitude | 1–2 orders of magnitude |
| Sensitivity | Sub-pg/mL (low-abundance targets) | Typically pg/mL range |
| Sample volume | Small (≤25 µL typical) | Moderate to high |
| Background signal | Very low (electrode-gated signal) | Moderate (optical noise) |
| Throughput | High (parallel multiplex) | Lower (sequential) |
| Cost per data point | Lower at scale due to multiplexing | Higher when measuring multiple targets |
Benefits of Meso Scale Discovery immunoassays:
With MSD’s electrochemiluminescence platform, our scientists deliver greater sensitivity, precision, reproducibility, and absolute quantification compared to traditional methods. These advantages translate directly into faster turnaround times and lower cost per analyte particularly relevant for studies requiring multiple biomarker readouts from the same sample.
The validated ready-to-use panels cover a wide range of study types, including:
- Cytokines & Chemokines
- Oncology
- Angiogenesis & Vascular analytes
- Bone Metabolism
- Cardiovascular
- Metabolism
- Inflammation
- Intracellular Signaling
- Neurodegeneration
- Toxicology
- GPCR-ligand binding proteins
- Immunology
- Growth factors
- Hypoxia
FAQ
What is Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)?
Meso Scale Discovery is a bioanalytical platform developed by Meso Scale Diagnostics that uses electrochemiluminescence (ECL) to detect and quantify proteins, peptides, and other analytes in biological samples. The technology is widely used in preclinical drug development for measuring pharmacodynamic biomarkers, cytokines, neurodegeneration markers, and other targets that require high sensitivity and wide dynamic range.
What is the MSD assay principle?
MSD assays work through electrochemiluminescence. Capture antibodies are bound to electrodes at the bottom of a multi-well plate. The target analyte in your sample binds to these antibodies, followed by a SULFO-TAG™-labelled detection antibody. When an electrical voltage is applied, the SULFO-TAG emits light in direct proportion to the amount of analyte present. Because only tags in close proximity to the electrode surface emit light, background noise is extremely low, resulting in high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range.
What is the difference between MSD and ELISA?
Both MSD and ELISA are immunoassay formats, but they differ considerably in performance. MSD uses electrochemiluminescence rather than colorimetric or fluorescent detection, which lowers background signal and extends the dynamic range. Critically, MSD supports multiplex detection, up to 10 analytes per well, while a standard ELISA is limited to a single analyte per well. For preclinical studies requiring simultaneous measurement of multiple cytokines, biomarkers, or signalling proteins, MSD typically offers better sensitivity, lower sample volume requirements, and a lower cost per data point.
Can MSD assays be run on non-standard analytes?
Yes. While MSD offers over 500 validated assay panels, our scientists can develop and validate custom MSD assays for analytes not covered by existing kits. This includes custom singleplex and multiplex configurations tailored to your specific biomarker panel and sample matrix.
What sample types are compatible with MSD assays?
MSD assays are compatible with a broad range of sample types commonly generated in preclinical studies, including plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cell culture supernatant, tissue lysates, and urine. Our team will advise on the most appropriate sample preparation and dilution strategy for your matrix and target analyte.
Through thorough preclinical investigation, our scientists can increase the translatability of your lead compounds from the preclinical stage into clinical trials. Using MSD immunoassays alongside a range of complementary in vivo and in vitro techniques, we work closely with you to deliver the most appropriate readouts at every stage of your drug development programme.
Do you have more questions about how MSD technology could benefit your research?
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