We recently caught up with Scott Hill, our Technical Services Lead and AID Product Specialist at Oxford Biosystems, to discuss the importance of versatile instrumentation in modern immunology, and the newest software update for AID iSpot readers.
 

What is EliSpot?

The EliSpot (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot) assay is a highly sensitive immunological technique used to detect and quantify antigen-specific immune cells based on their secretion of cytokines or other effector molecules at the single-cell level. It is widely used in vaccine development, cancer immunotherapy, infectious disease research, and cellular therapy studies.

The EliSpot assays are one of the most frequently used methods in Immunology for assessing cellular-immune interactions. Perhaps most well-known for measuring antigen-specific T-cell interactions, it can also be used for research involving B-cells and innate immune cells too. 
There are a wide range of EliSpot kits available on the market to suit your research needs, and we at Oxford Biosystems believe your ElisSpot instrumentation should be just as versatile. 
 

Selecting the right AID system

Selecting the right system is essential for your requirements. Some of the options are highlighted below:

• AID Classic: This system is designed for rapid, standardised and GLP-friendly reading of EliSpot plates in the 96 and 384-well formats. Scott highlighted that it can image, count and export a 96-well EliSpot plate in as little as 2 minutes.

• AID iSpot: The iSpot boasts all the benefits of the Classic but has expanded utility to allow for the reading of FluoroSpot plates. Supplied with 2 narrow-band fluorescent filters of your choice, the iSpot can identify dual-expression targets with pinpoint accuracy. This reader can be expanded to 4 narrow-band fluorescent filters, either at the point of order or later, supporting up to 4-colour multiplex analysis. If your research would benefit from the application of more than 4 colours, the iSpot Spectrum is ideal with up to 7 filters available.

• AID vSpot range: Scott explained that the vSpot range represents some of the most versatile immunology instrumentation we offer. It allows plate reading on 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 384-well plates, and with additional expanded support for viral plaque analysis and bacterial colony counting. 

Scott is happy to discuss specific requirements of researchers to ensure that the system meets their needs, and they are advised of the relevant benefits.
 

Installation & Support

As the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for AID EliSpot systems, Oxford Biosystems Ltd provides full installation, training and ongoing technical support for all instruments. Our trained technical specialists provide a key service in ensuring laboratories can fully benefit from both the instrumentation and software updates throughout the lifecycle of the system.

Installation can be completed in as little as 2 hours and you will receive copies of the IQ, OQ as well as the system and electrical safety paperwork.
We offer bespoke user training for up to 4 members of your team on the day of installation, which covers everything you need to know to get the most out of your new instrument, and ensures everyone present gets some hands-on experience with the equipment under the presence and guidance of our Technical Specialist.
Our annual preventative maintenance programme and service contracts put one of our Technical Specialists in front of your machine to validate the performance of the system, to pick up on and prevent any potential developing issues. 
 

Software Update

Following its release at the beginning of 2026, the latest software update from AID includes some key changes and additional benefits for users. This update introduces improvements across usability, analysis, compliance and collaboration.

Improved usability and workflow

• A refreshed interface provides more intuitive access to commonly used functions, reducing the time required to navigate analysis workflows.

Expanded analytical capability

• 2-colour enzymatic assay support for increased experimental flexibility
• Bespoke well comparisons across multiple plates with custom reporting options
• Up to 5-channel fluorescent overlay support for compatible systems

Enhanced data control and compliance

• 4-tier user hierarchy system for structured access control
• Improved audit tracking to support GLP-compliant workflows

Collaboration and data sharing

• Transferable count settings across plates for consistency between users and sites
• Additional software licences included as standard for remote data analysis

The versatility of the AID EliSpot range makes these instruments a key component for a wide range of different requirements. Whether you need, speed, accuracy or high throughput, there is an AID reader to support your laboratory, and with the new software update, usability, analysis and collaboration has never been easier.  

To find out more about the AID EliSpot range and the latest software update, visit our EliSpot page on our website, or get in touch with a member of the Oxford BioSystems team to discuss your options.