Re: How do I chemicaly test for the protein DER p1 that dustmites give off?

There is a commerically available ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) 
that uses antibodies to bind the available DER p1 protein.  These are quite 
expensive - I think one 96 well plate with reagents will run about 400 -500 
bucks.  I did find an Italian researcher who has developed a 
semi-quantitative assay using a dipstick impregnated with Ab raised to DER 
p1.  Who knows, e-mail the group and explain your situation (about 
the science fair) and they may send you a few kits for free.  
Unfortunately, tively unique assays for specicific proteins can get 
expensive.  The reference for the dipstick-based test is below.  Good luck.

J Med Entomol 1998 Mar;35(2):143-7 "Dot immunobinding assay for detection 
of mite antigens in house-dust samples"

Mistrello G, Gentili M, Roncarolo D, Antoniotti P, Ottoboni F, Falagiani P
Research Department, Laboratorio Farmaceutico Lofarma, Milan, Italy.

A new test was developed specifically to detect mite antigens in 
house-dust. It uses a nitrocellulose dipstick spotted with specific
antimite antibodies that act as a capture matrix; the same antibodies act 
as a detecting reagent when conjugated with colloidal dye particles. 
Aclotest is a 1-step assay, where a spotted dipstick is placed in a tube 
containing the detecting reagent and the house-dustsample. No 
instrumentation or previous extraction procedure of the sample is required, 
and the test response is visible as a colored spot, after 1 h incubation. 
The sensitivity and specificity of the new test were compared with those of 
Acarex and Der p1/Der f1 ELISA tests.