Technical Information

BioPAL's stable-isotope labeled microspheres provide the research community with a cost-effective alternative to the use of radioactive and optical microspheres for the measurement of regional organ blood flow and particle deposition studies.

The experimental method for using stable-isotope labeled microspheres is identical to the traditional radioactive method (1,2) differing only in the assay of the microspheres, which is performed by BioPAL.   At the close of the experiment, tissue samples of interest are collected, weighed and placed in BioPAL's tracer-free polypropylene samples vials.  If blood flow measurements are to be calculated (mL/min/g), then blood samples are sent to BioPAL for analysis, which uses neutron activation technology for the measurement of microsphere content.  The researcher can expect the results of the assay within ten working days.

BioPAL's assay procedure is not chemically or physically destructive and the measurement can be repeated (3).  Therefore, samples may be returned to the researcher for other analysis or archived for future reference.  The ability to re-assay stored samples is a major advantage for pharmaceutical development.

BioPAL completed a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the National Heart, Lung , and Blood Institute to compare our stable labeled microspheres and neutron activation assay service to the traditional radioactive method of measuring blood flow.  Experimental method and results will be provided upon request (4).  See What's New!

References

1. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 20, 55 (1977)
2. Basic Res Cardiol 80, 417 (1985)
3. Anal Chim Acta 165, 1 (1984)
4. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 280, H108 (2001)

Customer Reference list

We have compiled a brief list of references from researchers that have used and cited BioPAL products.  Here's the link to the PDF file.  If you would like to include your published research in our reference list, please contact us.  PDF Validation Paper.

The Product

1. Stable-Labeled Microspheres
   Twelve different stable-isotope labels are available.  Microspheres come in 10 mL and 20 mL vials containing approximately 2.5 million spheres per mL.  The microspheres are 15 µm in diameter and are suspended in normal saline containing Tween 80 and 0.01% Thimerosal.
   Download a PDF 15 µm microsphere price list.
   Download a PDF 10 µm microsphere price list.
   Download a PDF MSDS.
   Download a PDF general protocol information.
    
2. Contaminant-Free, Sample Vials
   BioPAL's polypropylene sample vials are cleaned to remove trace contamination and are calibrated for our activation and counting system.  These vials must be used for the assay.
   Download a PDF price list.
    
3. Saline-Free Buffer
   BioPAL offers sansSaLine, a saline-free buffer, as a substitute for saline or PBS in histochemical stains and for use to wash and clean samples in order to minimize sodium background activity, thereby maximizing the sensitivity of the measurement.
   Download a PDF price list.
   Download a PDF MSDS sansSaLine.
    
4. Assay Service
   BioPAL charges a per-sample assay fee.  The results of the assay are reported as the total disintegration per minute (dpm) measured in each sample for each corresponding microsphere label.  BioPAL also will calculated the absolute blood flow (mL/min/g) measured in each sample for an additional assay fee.
   Download a PDF price list.
   Download a PDF Assay Request Form.

Highlights

Stable-isotope labeled microspheres can be used to measure:

• Regional organ blood flow
• Air flow into the lung
• Particulate distribution in drug delivery

Advantages

• No radioactivity
• No hazardous reagents
• Non-destructive assay procedure
• Low cost
• High sensitivity and specificity
• Twelve different microsphere labels
• Twelve simultaneous measurements
• Archive the original samples
• The ability to re-assay samples
• Fast experimental turnover time

Request for Additional Information and Pricing

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