Microbead (research)

Bio-reactive molecules can be absorbed or coupled to their surface, and used to separate biological materials such as cells, proteins, or nucleic acids.

Microbeads were created when John Ugelstad managed to form polystyrene beads of the same spherical sizes at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)[5] in 1977.

This, together with uniformity of size and shape, provides for very good accessibility and fast liquid-phase reaction kinetics, and rapid and efficient binding.

[6][7] Fluorescent polyethylene microspheres are commonly used to run blind tests on laboratory and industrial processes, in order to develop proper methods and minimize cross-contamination of equipment and materials.

Microbeads and magnetic separation technology have enabled a range of innovative methods to benefit research on disease prevention, medicine, and other fields to improve the human condition.