Ways To Use Our Microspheres...



  • Latex Agglutination Tests and Particle Immunoassays: The bulk of our microspheres are used in various medical diagnostic applications. Proteins will adsorb readily onto polystyrene (PS) microspheres or they may be covalently coupled to carboxylic acid or other surface functional groups. Microspheres so coated with antibodies can be agglutinated (agglomerated) by the appropriate antigens. In our product list, under "Regular Microspheres", look for PS or your favorite surface functional group.

  • Sandwich Assays and Tests (Particle Capture ELISA's): Antibody-coated microspheres form the basis for particle capture ELISA tests and related assays (i.e., those that form a ± or blue dot). Antigen links the sandwich of (1) primary antibody-coated particle and (2) enzyme-labeled secondary antibody. Microspheres permit easy preparation of reagents (antibody coating of microspheres done in bulk, not on a membrane) and precise placement of Ab-coated microsphere spots on top of the filters.

  • Dyed Particle Sandwich or Chromatographic "Strip Tests": Our darkly dyed microspheres can eliminate the need for enzymes (and their attendant stability problems) in sandwich assays. Tests use dyed microspheres attached to one of the two sandwich antibodies. Small, antibody-coated microspheres will move easily through the membrane in chromatographic-like assays; deeply dyed (some as dark as ink!), they bring enough color to the sandwich to completely preclude the use of enzymes. Choose from a wide variety of colors, including bright fluorescents.

  • NIST-traceable Standards: Calibrated uniform diameter microspheres for standards and controls for particle or cell counting and measuring instruments are available singly or in sets.

  • LDV / PIV Seeds: Our microspheres have been used as seed in fluid flow streams for laser Doppler and particle image (and other) velocimetry measurements. In these applications they maybe dispersed in gas streams, wind tunnels, wave tanks, or ship tow-tanks. Silica microspheres permit use in combustion studies and other high temperature applications, too.

  • Other Applications: We supply microspheres for the applications
    described above, as well as:

    • blood cell simulation
    • cell separation
    • phagocytosis studies
    • chemiluminescent assays
    • column packing (non-porous)
    • density calibrators
    • DNA probes/ PCR
    • instrument standards
    • fluidized beds
    • magnetic resonance imaging
    • model studies
    • solid phase DNA sequencing
    • spacers for flat panel displays
    • void sources for ceramics

  • Other typical uses for our dyed microspheres include:

    • stains
    • adjuvants
    • contrast agents
    • cell tags (rosettes)
    • gel permeation markers
    • flow markers for liquids
    • confocal microscopy standards


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