Microspheres (also called latex beads or latex particles) are spherical particles in the colloidal size range that are formed from an amorphous polymer such as polystyrene. Our Molecular Probes® FluoSpheres® beads are manufactured using high-quality, ultraclean polystyrene and are loaded with a variety of our proprietary dyes to create intensely fluorescent beads that typically show little or no photobleaching, even when excited with the intense illumination required for fluorescence microscopy.

A well-established procedure for observing collagen phagocytosis by either flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy involves the use of collagen-coated fluorescent microspheres, which attach to the cell surface and become engulfed by fibroblasts. These fluorescent collagen I–labeled FluoSpheres® microspheres were developed for use in these applications.

FluoSpheres® Microsphere Specifications:

• Label (Ex/Em): Yellow-green fluorescent (505/515)
• Nominal bead diameter: 1.0 µm
• Surface modification: Collagen I from calf skin
• Solids: 0.5%

Choices for FluoSpheres® Fluorescent Microspheres
Among our complete offering of fluorescent microspheres products, you’ll find beads with these variations:

• Ten fluorescent colors
• Ten nominal bead diameters: 0.02 µm, 0.04 µm, 0.1 µm, 0.2 µm, 0.5 µm, 1.0 µm, 2.0 µm, 4.0 µm, 10.0 µm, and 15.0 µm
• Four surface modifications for protein coupling: carboxylate, sulfate, aldehyde-sulfate, amine
• Microspheres that are additionally precoupled with streptavidin, NeutrAvidin, biotin, europium, and platinum

Choices for Unstained Microspheres
We also offer hundreds of choices for UltraClean™ surfactant-free microspheres for research and commercial applications.

We’ll Make a Custom Microsphere Product for You
We will prepare custom orders upon request. For example, FluoSpheres® beads can be prepared with intensities that are lower than those of our regular selection, a desirable feature in some multicolor applications. Our custom conjugation service is efficient and confidential, and we stand by the quality of our work. We are ISO 9001:2000 certified.

For Research Use Only. Not intended for animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use.