Introduction to lateral flow assays

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) use paper-based devices for analyte detection and quantification in complex mixtures. LFAs have garnered attention for their user-friendly forms, quick test times, minimal interferences, affordable prices, and ease of operation by nonexperts. This introduction chapter presents an overview of the working principle of this technique, its advantages, applications in many fields, components of the method, and some critical parameters for developing LFAs. © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..