Name: Poly-4-vinylpyridine Beads (50-60% H2O)
Brand: Molecular Depot
SKU: B2025682
Price: 495.00 USD
Availability: InStock

<h2 data-section-id="1yntu08" data-start="0" data-end="53">What are microbeads used for in cellular analysis?</h2>
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Microbeads in this category serve two distinct functions in cell biology research. Glass beads and zirconium beads are used for mechanical cell and tissue disruption through bead beating, where high-frequency agitation causes the beads to repeatedly impact and shear samples for DNA, RNA, or protein extraction. Latex particles and beads and nanoparticles support particle-based applications such as flow cytometry calibration, magnetic cell separation, and functionalized cell labeling. Related entities include bead beating homogenizers, refractive index-matched calibration standards, magnetic cell sorting, and surface-functionalized particles (antibody, streptavidin, or polymer-coated).
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find: </h2>
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/cell-biology/cellular-analysis/microbeads/magnetic-particles-and-beads" title="Magnetic Particles &amp; Beads:">Magnetic Particles &amp; Beads:</a> High-paramagnetic iron oxide core spheres coated with functional polymers or surface ligands to enable rapid, high-purity target isolation and magnetic isolation workflows.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/cell-biology/cellular-analysis/microbeads/latex-particles-and-beads" title="Latex Particles &amp; Beads:">Latex Particles &amp; Beads:</a> Uniform polystyrene suspension spheres optimized for precise diagnostic agglutination assays, size calibration metrics, and targeted cell-sorting flow validation standards.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/cell-biology/cellular-analysis/microbeads/nanoparticles" title="Nanoparticles:">Nanoparticles:</a> Sub-micron engineered structures possessing elevated surface-area-to-volume ratios customized for high-sensitivity biomarker tracking, target drug delivery, and advanced nanoscale material exploration.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/cell-biology/cellular-analysis/microbeads/silica-beads" title="Silica Beads:">Silica Beads:</a> High-density, chemically inert silicon dioxide structures designed for powerful nucleic acid adsorption during solid-phase extraction and efficient mechanical lysis of fragile cellular targets.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/cell-biology/cellular-analysis/microbeads/zirconium-beads" title="Zirconium Beads:">Zirconium Beads:</a> Ultra-dense, hard ceramic grinding media engineered to deliver exceptional kinetic energy for the complete homogenization of tough, fibrous tissue samples.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/cell-biology/cellular-analysis/microbeads/glass-beads" title="Glass Beads:">Glass Beads:</a> Cost-effective borosilicate solid spheres optimized for rapid cell disruption, gentle mechanical homogenization, and uniform bacterial growth spreading applications across laboratory workflows.
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<h2 data-section-id="8rx7xv" data-start="1243" data-end="1278">How to choose microbead products</h2>
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Bead beating vs. particle-based applications
The first consideration is whether the application involves mechanical sample disruption or a particle-based assay. Glass and zirconium beads are designed for homogenizing cells and tissues during nucleic acid or protein extraction, whereas latex particles and nanoparticles are intended for calibration, separation, labeling, or analytical workflows. Choosing the correct category is essential because these bead types are not interchangeable.
Bead density and sample toughness (for bead beating)
Bead density directly affects homogenization efficiency. Zirconium oxide beads are significantly denser and generate greater impact force, making them suitable for difficult-to-lyse samples and tougher tissues. Glass beads are lighter and are generally sufficient for cultured cells, microbial samples, and softer tissues where aggressive disruption is unnecessary.
Bead size matching to sample type
Smaller beads, typically in the 0.1&ndash;0.5 mm range, are commonly used for cell culture samples, microorganisms, and small tissue fragments. Larger beads, often 1 mm or greater, are better suited to tougher tissues or larger sample pieces. Bead size should also be compatible with the homogenizer tubes and equipment used in the workflow.
Particle surface chemistry and refractive index (for latex particles and nanoparticles)
For flow cytometry calibration, latex beads provide a consistent and well-characterized refractive index that enables reliable particle sizing and instrument standardization. For cell separation, purification, or labeling applications, nanoparticles may be functionalized with antibodies, streptavidin, polymers, or other surface chemistries that determine how they interact with cells or biomolecules. Surface functionality should be selected according to the target molecule, cell type, or assay design.
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<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4288" data-end="4313">Specifications context</h2>
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Bead-beating products are typically characterized by bead diameter and material density, with bead sizes ranging from approximately 0.1 mm to several millimeters depending on the application. Molecular biology workflows may require specialized grades such as acid-washed, nuclease-free, or protease-free beads to protect downstream DNA, RNA, or protein analysis. Calibration beads are defined by highly controlled particle diameters, commonly ranging from 0.5 to 20 microns, and fluorescent variants may include assigned calibration values such as molecules of equivalent soluble fluorophore (MESF). Product formats range from bulk bead supplies and ready-to-use bead suspensions to prefilled homogenization tubes that combine tube and bead in a single format.&nbsp;
This hub category contains glass beads, zirconium beads, latex particles and beads, and nanoparticles. MBP's specialist team can help confirm bead material, size, and surface chemistry for a specific homogenization protocol or particle-based assay before order placement.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the helpful team</a> at MBP today to request a quote.

Microbeads

Molecular Depot

Key Specifications

Poly-4-vinylpyridine Beads (50-60% H2O)

Poly-4-vinylpyridine Beads (50-60% H2O) (B2025682) from Molecular Depot is a polymer resin. These beads are used as polymer-supported acid scavengers and for metal binding. Available from MBP, a registered vendor at leading US research institutions.