MagnaBind™ Streptavidin Beads - FAQs

Pierce Streptavidin Magnetic Beads are homogeneous, non-aggregating, pre-blocked, iron oxide, superparamagnetic microparticles encapsulated with a proprietary polymer surface (no exposed iron, bead size of approximately 1 (0.5-1.5) µm, concentration 10 mg/mL). Pierce Streptavidin Magnetic Beads can be used in manual or automated applications (using KingFisher 96 and KingFisher Flex instruments, for example).
MagnaBind Streptavidin Beads are also superparamagnetic particles, but are heterogeneous aggregates made of silanized iron oxide (bead size approximately 1-4 µm, concentration 5 mg/mL). MagnaBind Streptavidin Beads can only be used in manual applications.

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No, centrifuging causes the formation of irreversible aggregates which greatly reduces binding capacity.

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No, freezing or drying will cause the beads to aggregate and lose binding activity. Store the beads only at 4 degrees C.

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Thermo Scientific Streptavidin Magnetic Beads average about 1 micron in daimeter ranging from about 0.5-1.5 microns while MagnaBind Streptavidin Beads are heterogenous averaging 1 - 4 microns.

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No, neither the MagnaBind Streptavidin Beads nor the Thermo Scientific Streptavidin Magnetic Beads are sterilized. However, they are both supplied in solutions containing sodium azide to prevent bacterial growth.

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Thermo Scientific Streptavidin Magnetic Beads are homogenous non-aggregating, pre-blocked, iron oxide, superparamagnetic microparticles encapsulated with proprietary polymer surface (no exposed iron). The MagnaBind Streptavidin Beads on the other hand are also superparamagnetic particles but are hetreogenous aggregates made of silanized iron oxide. The Thermo Scientific Streptavidin Magnetic Beads can be used in manual or automated applications (using Thermo Scientific KingFisher 96 and KingFisher Flex Instruments for example) while MagnaBind Streptavidin Beads can only be used in manual applications.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Assays and Analysis Support Center.