Why does LOD affect tissue staining? The simple waterline model shown in Figure 10 below shows how assay analytic sensitivity determines whether a biomarker remains hidden, faintly visible, or fully revealed.
- The analytic sensitivity is like the water level.
- The underwater volcano is like the biomarker.
- An insensitive assay (A, on left) has a high LOD and is represented with a high-water level (LOD), rendering the volcano (biomarker) not visible.
- A sensitive assay (C, on the right) has a low LOD and is represented with a low-water level (LOD), exposing nearly the entire volcanic island (biomarker), analogous to strong staining.
Figure 10. Relationship Between LOD And Stain Intensity