ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Secretion assay

A secretion assay is a special way that scientists test whether or not certain cells in the body are making and releasing specific molecules. When you're sick, your body's cells create some substances that can help fight the infection. Scientists can use a secretion assay to figure out how many of these molecules are being made and released by the cells.

It's kind of like making a cake. You have to mix together a bunch of ingredients to create the final product. When you're making a cake, you can look at the ingredients you put in to see how much butter, sugar, and flour you used. Scientists use a secretion assay to look at the different molecules that cells are making and releasing to figure out how much of each one is there.

To do a secretion assay, scientists might take some cells from your body and put them in a special dish that has some liquid in it. Then, they add a substance to the dish that will tell the cells to start releasing certain molecules. After a while, the scientists will take some of the liquid from the dish and test it to see how much of the molecules the cells are making and releasing are in there.

That way, scientists can see if the cells are producing the right molecules in the right amount. This information can help them understand how the cells work and how they can create treatments to fight diseases or help the body heal.