Qiagen, 13116-50, PowerBead Tubes, Glass 0.5 mm (50)

PowerBead™ Tubes with 0.5 mm Glass Beads are sample-disruption consumables for preparing biological materials before nucleic acid extraction or other downstream analysis. Each 2 mL tube contains 0.5 mm glass beads that transfer mechanical energy to cells and other particles during shaking or bead beating. The small bead size can be effective for many microbial and mixed biological samples when used with a suitable lysis chemistry. The supplied pack contains 50 tubes, allowing independent processing of samples while limiting cross-contamination between preparations. Add the prescribed sample and lysis buffer without exceeding the tube or instrument's recommended fill limits. Select the bead-beating duration and speed to balance disruption efficiency against excess heating, nucleic acid shearing and sample foaming. Use a compatible shaking instrument and secure tubes correctly before operation. Glass beads of 0.5 mm are different from ceramic or metal PowerBead formats, so protocols should be optimized for the actual sample matrix.