FluoSpheres® sulfate microspheres, 1.0 µm, -"DISCONTINUED" - FAQs

View additional product information for FluoSpheres® sulfate microspheres, 1.0 µm, -"DISCONTINUED" - FAQs (F8849)

3 product FAQs found

I have some FluoSpheres polystyrene microspheres, with 20 nm diameter. They are aggregating a lot. What can I do about it?

The smaller the microspheres, the greater the propensity to aggregate. But the aggregation is not irreversible. Sonicate in a bath sonicator or vortex to disperse, just prior to use. You can also add a small concentration of Tween-20 or Triton X-100 (unless you are using them in a live-cell system).

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I sonicated my 2.0 µm carboxylate-modified microspheres, as recommended, but saw foaming (bubbles) on top of the solution. Should I be concerned?

Use of a bath sonicator is recommended to help break up any aggregated microspheres. The foaming is from Tween-20, which is in the stock solution to help prevent aggregation. It is normal and expected to see bubbles from this. Do not use a probe sonicator, which would cause damage to the microspheres (as well as much more bubbling).

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How do you label the FluoSpheres microspheres with dye?

The polystyrene microspheres are swelled in a solvent containing a hydrophobic dye specific to the FluoSpheres product. The dye is then able to diffuse into the polystyrene matrix. The beads are then removed from the solvent and dialyzed into an aqueous environment; this reverses the swelling and traps the dye in the polystyrene. Once trapped, the dye is fairly protected from the external environment. The exact protocol and identity of the hydrophobic dyes are proprietary.

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