Magnetic Beads

Magnetic beads are small nano- or micro- particles composed of a ferrimagnetic core covered by a chemical coat. They have long been recognized as a way to solve scalability issues with respect to nucleic acid purification and manipulation^[1]. Their most useful characteristic is the ability to achieve solid-phase reversible immobilization (SPRI)^[2]; meaning they can reversibly bind nucleic acid under dehydrating conditions; and when in the presence of a strong magnet, can be safely immobilized throughout multiple wash and manipulation steps. Protocols using these magnetic beads are inherently scalable due to the fact that they are independent of centrifugation and the necessary material is exceedingly cheap both to purchase and manufacture in a laboratory setting.