Metric calculates LOD, which quantifies the analytic sensitivity of your assay. LOD is the single most important output of the Metric Calibration Report.
Connecting LOD and Assay Analytic Sensitivity
Figure 7 below shows the connections between LOD and assay analytic sensitivity, tissue stain intensity, and IHC test errors. LOD quantifies assay analytic sensitivity, which in turn affects tissue stain intensity. Tissue stain intensity is responsible for the majority of IHC staining errors.
Figure 7. Connections Between LOD And Assay Analytic Sensitivity, Tissue Stain Intensity, and IHC Test Errors
Low LOD
A low LOD means that your assay is highly sensitive, which yields strong tissue staining, producing an accurate IHC test result (Figure 8). Without calibration data, accurate staining has been used to infer a proper LOD. Directly measuring LOD to confirm accurate staining is better science.
Figure 8. Low LOD Example
High LOD
In contrast, a high LOD means that your assay is highly insensitive, which can yield weak to no tissue staining, and inaccurate IHC test results (Figure 9). IHC Calibration is the only quantified and accurate method for determining the analytic sensitivity of your IHC assay.
Figure 9. High LOD Example