Thermo Scientific™ Slide-A-Lyzer™ MINI Dialysis Devices, 3.5K MWCO

Product Code.	Product Type	Sample Volume (Metric)	Sufficient For	unitSize
11377250	Cup, Conical	0.5 mL	25 Samples	Pack of 25
10784274	Cup, Microcentrifuge	0.1 mL	50 Sample	Pack of 50
10321114	Cup, Microcentrifuge	0.1 mL	250 Samples	Pack of 250
11899410	Cup, Microcentrifuge Kit	0.1 mL	10 Samples	Pack of 10
11552571	Cup, Conical	2 mL	25 Samples	Pack of 25

Product Code. 11377250 Supplier Thermo Scientific™ Supplier No. 88400

Description

Perform sample buffer exchange with these 3500-MW cut-off (MWCO) disposable polypropylene cups with integrated, low-binding membranes.

Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Devices, 3.5K MWCO, are disposable polypropylene cups with integrated, low-binding membranes for dialysis and high recovery of proteins and macromolecules >3.5kDa in volumes from 10 μL to 2 mL. They were developed as a convenient means for dialyzing small-volume samples of nucleic acids and proteins without undue sample loss. Low molecular weight contaminant removal, buffer exchange, desalting, equilibrium dialysis, micro conjugation reactions, and concentration can be accomplished with these devices.

Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Devices are manufactured in a clean environment and auto-bagged after assembly to ensure that they are free of contaminants and ready to use. These 3.5K MWCO dialysis devices are available in three sizes (0.1, 0.5, and 2 mL capacities), and are designed to allow easy sample addition and removal using a standard laboratory pipette. The MINI devices are effective and convenient for accomplishing typical sample desalting or buffer exchange in 4–8 hours. Unlike other small sample separation devices, there is no equipment to assemble, no need for syringe adapters, and no laborious steps necessary to manipulate the small volume sample. The regenerated cellulose membrane is compatible with common chemicals and buffers.

Features of Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Devices, 3.5K MWCO:
• Three convenient sizes—dialysis devices for 0.1, 0.5, and 2 mL samples fit standard 1.5-mL micro centrifuge, 15- and 50-mL conical tubes, respectively
• Excellent sample recovery—low-binding plastic and small membrane surface area minimize sample loss
• One-step protocol—pipette sample into the MINI device and place in tube containing the dialysis buffer; no laborious assembly, device preparation, or expensive equipment are required
• 100% leak-tested—innovative design does not permit ‘wicking’ that can occur in home-made devices
• Time saving—performs desalting of nucleic acids and proteins (>95% recovery) in less than 15 minutes, which improves sample resolution, quantification, and conjugation

The 0.5- and 2-mL MINI dialysis devices fit in and are capped by inserting them into the included 15- and 50-mL conical tubes, respectively. The tubes can be securely placed in standard laboratory racks or shakers; this feature saves space, minimizes the risk of spills or contamination, and eliminates the need for floats or large beakers of buffer. Using these MINI dialysis devices, low molecular weight contaminant removal and buffer exchange and desalting can be accomplished within 4–8 hours with efficiencies, rates, and recoveries very similar to conventional dialysis using a large dialysate volume.

The 0.1 mL MINI dialysis devices are designed to be capped (caps included) and inserted into standard 1.5 mL micro-centrifuge tubes. Alternatively, as many as 25 MINI devices can be placed in a Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Device Float for dialysis of multiple samples inside a large beaker.

Using the 0.1 mL MINI Device, 100 μL of pH 2.8 glycine buffer can be equilibrated to 1 liter of pH 9.4 bicarbonate buffer in less than 10 minutes. As with all dialysis applications, the observed rate of dialysis for each sample used with these devices depends on a variety of factors including membrane to sample volume; temperature and agitation rates; the molecular weight, shape, degree of hydration, and charge of the molecules passing through the membranes; and the pH, ionic strength, and solvent characteristic of the buffers being used.

Specifications

• Product Type: Cup, Conical
• Product Line: Slide-A-Lyzer
• MWCO: 3.5 kDa
• Membrane: Cellulose Membrane, Dialysis
• Format: MINI Dialysis Device
• Description: MINI Dialysis Device
• Purification Target: Buffer Exchange, Protein
• Sample Volume (Metric): 0.5 mL
• Sufficient For: 25 Samples
• Quantity: 25 Devices
• Content And Storage: Store at room temperature

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

With what chemicals is the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit compatible?

The Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit is compatible with alcohols, ketones, esters, oxides, and solvents containing nitrogen.
Alkalis: 1N sodium hydroxide or 1N ammonium hydroxide may cause pore swelling or shrinkage; not recommended to be used with 1N potassium hydroxide
Acids: Will survive weak acids (100% acetic or formic acids), or ~25% phosphoric or sulfuric acids; it should not be used with >25% strong acids, although a weak solution of a strong acid may work

What percent of my sample should I expect to lose during dialysis when using the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit?

In general, polypropylene and regenerated cellulose have very low nonspecific binding properties. The percent recovery of a sample will depend on the unique properties of the sample and on the initial concentration of the sample.

What materials are used to manufacture the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit?

The membrane is regenerated cellulose and the plastic is a polypropylene copolymer. Both materials have very low protein and nucleic acid binding properties.

How long does it take to dialyze with the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit?

The Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit can convert 100 µL of pH 2.8 buffer to pH 9.4 dialyzing against 1 liter bicarbonate buffer, pH 9.4 in less than 10 minutes.

How do I use the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit?

- Wearing gloves, apply sample (0.01-0.1 mL) using a pipette.
- OPTIONAL: Soak the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit to remove trace contaminants.
- Cap the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit (to minimize loss) and snap it into the float (sold separately).
- Insert the float into the beaker containing the dialysate.
- Recover sample.

How do I remove trace contaminants from the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit?

To remove glycerol, dialyze for 15 minutes against 1 liter of deionized water. Glycerol content is less than 3% in the 3K unit, approximately 15% in the 7K unit and 23% in the 10K unit. To remove metals, dialyze for 15 minutes against 1 liter of 1 mM EDTA. Metals present in the 3K, 7K and 10K unit include 2 ppb iron, 5 ppb magnesium, 1.5 ppb nickel, 0.2 ppb zinc, 0.2 ppb copper, 0.5 ppb chromium and 0.3 ppb cadmium. To remove sulfur, dialyze for 15 minutes against 1 liter of deionized water. Sulfur content should be minimal, less than 0.1%. Thermo Scientific quality control checks for sulfur on the membrane prior to the unit's assembly.

How do I obtain optimum performance with the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit?

Always wear gloves when touching a Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit If desired, soak the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit to remove contaminants For best recovery, tilt the tube and collect the sample in the bottom corner of the device.

How can I use the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit in my laboratory?

The Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit is ideal for:

- Salt reduction Buffer exchange (<10 min for pH change 2.8 to 9.5)
- Removal of small molecular weight compounds
- Micro-conjugation (reagent addition or sample evaluation anytime)
- Equilibrium dialysis (microtube, paraffin to adjust depth)
- Concentration (in a microtube concentrates @ 35-45 µl/hr; use at least a 3:1 v/v ratio of concentrator to sample.)
- Sample preparation for instrumentation analysis (HPLC, CE, MS, GC, electrophoresis, etc.)
- Sample preparation for proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, DNA, RNA (~330 MW/base ~660 MW/bp)
- The “scavenger” technique in which a resin, membrane, polymer or protein is placed in a microtube with buffer in order to select a compound to remove from a sample in a Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Unit.

I lost a lot of my proteins during the dialysis. How can I prevent this?

The dialysis membranes are made of regenerated cellulose, which may cause some molecules to stick nonspecifically resulting in sample loss. The percent of total protein lost is partially dependent on the protein concentration. Protein loss caused by nonspecific binding to the membrane is negligible for concentrated samples (greater than 0.5 mg/mL) but may be significant with dilute protein samples (<0.1 mg/mL). Adding a “carrier” protein such as BSA to dilute protein sample before dialysis will prevent this loss.

After dialysis, my sample volume increased significantly. What can I do to avoid this?

Water moves quickly and easily across the dialysis membrane. When dialyzing a high solute concentration against a dilute dialysis buffer, there will be a net movement of water (and possibly salts) into the dialysis unit through the membrane. Glycerol and some sugars are especially hygroscopic, and as rapidly as they diffuse across the membrane to reach equilibrium, they also significantly affect the osmosis of water across the membrane and so may cause a change in volume of the sample. Take care when dialyzing with large differences in glycerol or sugar concentration between sample and dialysis membrane. Prevent this movement of water and consequent change in sample volume by dialyzing in a “stepwise” fashion, minimizing the difference in water concentration between sample and dialysis buffer at each stage in the dialysis process (see more in Dialysis: An Overview - https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/brochures/TR0020-Dialysis-overview.pdf).

The smallest sizes of the Slide-A-Lyzer Mini Dialysis Units (10-100 µL) are inserted into a float. If the top of the sample is below the top of the buffer, then hydrostatic pressure of the buffer will force buffer into the unit, increasing the volume and diluting the sample. Making sure that the dialysis membrane is in contact with the buffer and the top of the sample is at or above the level of the buffer will prevent this

Can I re-use my MINI Slide-A-Lyzer device?

We do not recommend re-use.

Can the MINI Slide-A-Lyzer device be used with nucleic acids?

Yes, but we‘d suggest pre-treatment of the Slide-A-Lyzer device with EDTA or other DNase/RNase pre-treatment.

Can I concentrate my solution with the MINI Slide-A-Lyzer device?

Yes, the MINI Slide-A-Lyzer device can be used as a concentrating device as described in the following article: (https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/LSG/brochures/TR0078-SAL-Conc-Solution.pdf). The average concentration rate of 35 µL/hour was observed in house when the sample was in PBS. We recommend using at least a 3:1 v/v ratio of concentrator to sample. In general, increased salt concentration in the sample will reduce the rate of sample concentration.

Are the MINI Slide-A-Lyzer Dialysis Units sterile?

The MINI Slide-A-Lyzer devices are not certified sterile but they are manufactured in a clean environment. HEPA filters keep out contaminants. From molding to packaging, the MINI components have never been touched with ungloved (powder-free latex or nitrile) hands.

How long should I dialyze my sample when using the MINI Slide-A-Lyzer device?

In general, colder solutions take longer to dialyze. Dialysis completion will depend on the composition and volume of sample and dialysate. Simple pH exchange proceeds very rapidly; less than 10 minutes for 100 µL to change from pH 2.8 to pH 9.4. Dialysis of a 1 M salt solution against water proceeds very rapidly (less than 10 minutes for 10 µL). Dialysis of 100 µL of small compounds, 500-1,500 daltons, against a saline solution will be approximately 50% complete in 2-4 hours or 99% or higher complete after overnight when dialyzing against approximately 1 liter of buffer. Dialysis will proceed faster with more frequent buffer changes.

Does the MINI Slide-a-Lyzer device fit within a 50 mL conical tube? Or within a 15 mL conical tube?

Yes, the 0.1 mL devices can be placed into a foam float during dialysis, while the 0.5 mL and 2 mL sizes are capped by inserting them into the included 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes, respectively.

What materials are the Slide-A-Lyzer MINI Dialysis Units made of?

The MINI Dialysis Units are made of regenerated cellulose membrane, and the cup is made of polypropylene. The Units require 2 minutes‘ hydration time before use.