FastPrep® Lysis Beads & Matrix Tubes for Sample Disruption

FastPrep® Lysing Matrix tubes are very versatile, consisting of 16 unique sample tubes that fit any sample type! Whatever your sample, we have the solution. Our matrices contain properties that contribute to optimum success in your protocols. Various properties of a lysing matrix particle, whether inherent or selected, can yield a myriad of end-products depending on the dynamic qualities instilled in that particle by said properties. The inherent properties include the hardness, composition, and density, while the selected properties include the shape and the size. Here is a brief description of our properties:

Size:
The smaller the particles used in the grinding media, the smaller the average particle size and the smaller the lowest-limiting particle size produced during pulverization. (Note: this doesn’t mean that the smallest particles produced will be the same size as the smallest matrix particles used during lysis. The particles of the end product will always be much smaller that the smallest matrix particle. It’s rather like a bullet penetrating a glass window, producing pieces of shattered glass that are much smaller than the incident bullet.) Thus, matrix particle size should be selected based upon the size of the particles you wish to obtain in your lysate. For example, if your goal is to obtain intact and functional organelles, it’s best to utilize a larger grinding media. Utilizing a smaller size matrix would be more conducive to lysing smaller structures, such as viral particles and endospores.

Shape
The shape of the grinding media is a major determining factor in the modality by which the cells are broken apart. Dull lysis media, such as those with spherical shapes, will complete a majority of the overall lysis by forces of impaction, while the sharper and more jaggedly shaped lysis media will complete a majority of the overall lysis by shearing forces. Shearing forces are good for cracking open difficult-to-lyse samples, or samples that necessitate the isolation of a stable molecule such as DNA. RNA and certain easily denatured proteins are often vulnerable to shearing forces, while other molecules such as DNA, stable proteins (antibodies or collagen for instance), structural polysaccharides, and small molecules (such as small secondary metabolites) are immune to shearing forces, and thus it is practical to use shearing forces when isolating these, so as to eliminate those structures and functions that are vulnerable to such shearing forces.

Hardness, Density and Composition
The composition determines two very important qualities: hardness and density, both of which are inherent properties derived from the molecular composition of the matrix particle. The hardness must be greater than that of the sample being pulverized. This is the case for all MP Biomedicals lysing matrices, so this variable is not as significant. The density is more important. The denser the matrix particles, the more effective they are at grinding up spores or tough tissues with dense extracellular matrices. It’s also important that the matrix particles being used are denser than the solution in which they are homogenizing, lest they simple float on top and fail to function in lysis or homogenization. Other qualities also accompany the matrix due to molecular structure. Some examples include electrical conductivity, melting point, and cross-reactivity, but these and other unmentioned inherent molecular properties are essentially insignificant due to our careful selection of the compositions of our lysing matrix particles.

A Word About Knoop and Mohs
Materials chosen for use in FastPrep® Lysing Matrix products are carefully selected based on several criteria (discussed above). A key parameter is the hardness of the material, which can be evaluated by standard assays, which are reported for each of our quality reagents. The Knoop hardness test is a test for mechanical hardness of brittle materials or thin sheets. A small indentation is made in the surface using a diamond point applied with known force/time. The resulting indentation is measured using a microscope and scored with values typically from 100 to 1000, with increasing values being indicative of increase of material hardness. The Mohs scale defines the scratch resistance of various minerals, assessed as the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. Values typically range between 1 and 10, with diamond (for example having a Mohs scale score of 10). Hide this content.