Flow Check™ High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles - 0.50µm (BB)

Flow Check™ High Intensity Alignment Grade Particles are a single population of 0.50 µm BB-dyed polystyrene microspheres used for flow cytometry calibration and instrument alignment checks. The particles are supplied as an aqueous suspension and may also be used as a fluorescence reference during routine assessment of flow cytometer performance.

The suspension is packaged in a 10 mL flip-top dropper bottle. Before analysis, the particles are mixed by inversion and diluted in sheath fluid according to the preparation procedure below.

Key Properties

• Product number: 23520
• Particle material: Polystyrene
• Nominal particle diameter: 0.50 µm
• Particle population: Single population
• Dye designation: BB
• Format: Aqueous suspension
• Suspending solution: 100 mM borate, pH 8.5, with 0.1% BSA, 0.05% Tween 20, and 10 mM EDTA
• Package size: 10 mL
• Storage: 4 °C; do not freeze

Applications

Flow Cytometer Calibration

The 0.50 µm polystyrene microspheres provide a defined fluorescent particle population for flow cytometry calibration.

Instrument Alignment Checks

The particles can be used during flow cytometer alignment checks to evaluate instrument response with a uniform particle population.

Instrument & Procedure Checks

Flow Check™ particles are intended for checking the suitability of flow cytometry instruments and established procedures under defined acquisition conditions.

Fluorescence Reference

The BB-dyed microspheres can be used as a particle-based fluorescence reference in flow cytometry workflows.

Preparation & Use

• Before dispensing, mix the particle suspension by completely inverting the bottle several times
• Dilute one drop of particle suspension in 1 mL of sheath fluid
• Mix the diluted suspension thoroughly before analysis
• Dilution is required to obtain a count rate of approximately 1,000 particles per second under the conditions described in the technical data sheet
• At 10,000 total events per run, one 10 mL bottle provides material for at least 200 runs under the stated preparation conditions

Handling & Storage

• Store the stock particle suspension at 4 °C
• Do not freeze
• Protect the suspension from light during storage
• Mix thoroughly by inversion before dispensing
• When protected from light and stored at 4 °C, the stock particle suspension is stable for one year
• Store diluted particles at 4 °C and protected from light
• Diluted particle suspensions are stable for 8–10 hours when stored in the dark at 4 °C

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Safety & Documentation

Refer to Technical Data Sheet #508 for preparation, dilution, storage, and product-use information. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for handling and safety information.