Polystyrene Latex Beads (5 m) Catalog B2013542
Polystyrene Latex Beads (5 m) (Catalog B2013542) are uniform, non-fluorescent polystyrene microspheres supplied as a 2 mL 1% aqueous suspension. With a precisely controlled 5 m diameter, these beads are excellent calibration standards, model particles, and tools for cell biology, immunology, and nanotechnology research. They are widely used in flow cytometry calibration, phagocytosis assays, agglutination tests, instrument performance validation, and as carriers in diagnostic assay development.
| Catalog number: | B2013542 |
| Lot number: | Batch Dependent |
| Expiration Date: | Batch dependent |
| Amount: | 2 mL |
| Molecular Weight or Concentration: | 1% suspension |
| Supplied as: | Aqueous suspension |
| Applications: | Flow cytometry calibration, phagocytosis and cell interaction studies, agglutination assays, instrument validation, particle-based immunoassays, and as size standards in microscopy and nanotechnology |
| Storage: | 2-8C (do not freeze) |
| Keywords: | Polystyrene latex beads, 5 m microspheres, plain polystyrene particles |
| Grade: | Biotechnology grade. All products are highly pure. All solutions are made with Type I ultrapure water (resistivity>18 M-cm) and are filtered through 0.22 um. |
Scientific Overview
These 5 m plain polystyrene latex beads have a highly uniform size distribution and smooth surface, making them ideal reference particles. They are commonly used to calibrate flow cytometers and other particle analyzers, as model targets in phagocytosis and immune cell interaction studies, and as solid supports in agglutination or diagnostic assays. Their inert nature and consistent physical properties allow reproducible results in cell biology, immunology, and materials science research.
Key applications include:
- Flow cytometry and particle size calibration standards
- Phagocytosis and macrophage activation studies
- Agglutination and lateral flow assay development
- Instrument performance validation (FACS, microscopy, etc.)
- Model particles for nanoparticlecell interaction research
Usage & Handling Guidance
Store at 28C. Do not freeze. Gently vortex or pipette up and down before use to ensure homogeneous suspension. Dilute in PBS, culture medium, or assay buffer as needed. Brief low-power sonication can be used if minor aggregation occurs after long storage.
- Typical working concentration: 1010 beads/mL (optimize for specific assay)
- Stability: Stable for months when stored refrigerated; protect from contamination
- Compatibility: Suitable for use with mammalian cells, antibodies, and most buffer systems
What You Get
- 2 mL of 5 m Polystyrene Latex Beads (1% suspension)
- Highly uniform size distribution for reproducible results
- Plain, non-fluorescent polystyrene microspheres
- Ready-to-use aqueous suspension
- For research use only (RUO)
Why Researchers Choose It
- Precise 5 m size ideal for flow cytometry calibration and cell interaction studies
- Uniform, inert polystyrene beads with consistent physical properties
- Versatile tool for phagocytosis, agglutination, and assay development
- Stable suspension suitable for long-term laboratory use
- High-quality biotechnology-grade particles at an economical scale
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the exact size of these beads?
Nominal diameter is 5 m with narrow size distribution. - Can these beads be used with cells?
Yes. They are commonly used in phagocytosis, opsonization, and cellparticle interaction studies. - How should I store the suspension?
Store at 28C. Do not freeze. Mix gently before each use. - Are the beads surface-functionalized?
These are plain (unmodified) polystyrene latex beads. Carboxyl- or amine-functionalized versions are available if conjugation is needed. - What is the concentration?
1% (w/v) suspension. Dilute according to your experimental protocol.
This product is for Research Use Only (RUO). It is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic use in humans or animals.
References
- Kumada Y, Miyamura Y, Tanibata R, Takahashi K, Ogasawara S, Gondaira F, Horiuchi JI. Design and site-directed immobilization of single-chain Fv antibody to polystyrene latex beads via material-binding peptides and application to latex turbidimetric assay. J Biosci Bioeng. 2021 Jan;131(1):84-89.
- McAbee DD, Grinnell F. Fibronectin-mediated binding and phagocytosis of polystyrene latex beads by baby hamster kidney cells. J Cell Biol. 1983 Nov;97(5 Pt 1):1515-23.
- Siiman O, Burshteyn A, Insausti ME. Covalently Bound Antibody on Polystyrene Latex Beads: Formation, Stability, and Use in Analyses of White Blood Cell Populations. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2001 Feb 1;234(1):44-58.
- Zhang Y, Baker PJ, Casabianca LB. BDPA-Doped Polystyrene Beads as Polarization Agents for DNP-NMR. J Phys Chem B. 2016 Jan 14;120(1):18-24.
- Alsharif NB, Samu GF, Sringer S, Szerlauth A, Takcs D, Hornok V, Dkny I, Szilagyi I. Antioxidant colloids via heteroaggregation of cerium oxide nanoparticles and latex beads. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2022 Aug;216:112531.
- Lee JH, Gomez IJ, Sitterle VB, Meredith JC. Dye-labeled polystyrene latex microspheres prepared via a combined swelling-diffusion technique. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2011 Nov 1;363(1):137-44.
- Bocchini V, Artault JC, Rebel G, Dreyfus H, Massarelli R. Phagocytosis of polystyrene latex beads by rat brain microglia cell cultures is increased by treatment with gangliosides. Dev Neurosci. 1988;10(4):270-6.
- Taki T, Abe M, Matsumoto M. Simple purification method for anti-glycolipid antibody using polystyrene latex beads coated with gangliotetraosylceramide. J Biochem. 1982 May;91(5):1813-6.
- Genung RK, Hsu HW. Immobilization of immunoglobulins on polystyrene latex beads: characterization by density gradient centrifugation. Biotechnol Bioeng. 1978 Aug;20(8):1129-41.
