Gel Beads

Gel beads are small, water-rich polymer particles that provide a three-dimensional environment for enclosing cells, biomolecules, or other materials in biological research. They form when polymers such as alginate cross-link into a porous network, often through ionic interactions with calcium ions; the resulting structure retains water while allowing nutrients, gases, and selected molecules to diffuse. Researchers use gel beads for cell immobilization, controlled drug delivery, enzyme studies, tissue engineering, and laboratory assays. Their size, porosity, and composition can be adjusted to regulate transport and protect encapsulated contents, making them useful for studying cell behavior and developing biomaterials.

Gel Beads - Related Videos

Research

JoVE Journal - Biology

Optimized Fibrin Gel Bead Assay for the Study of Angiogenesis

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Cited by 165 •

2007

This video demonstrates the protocol of an in vitro angiogenesis assay that recapitulates several stages of angiogenesis. Time-lapse images of sprouting, lumen formation, branching and anastomosis - key features of angiogenesis - are shown.

Education

JoVE Science Education - Basic Biology

Gel Purification

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2023

Gel purification is used to recover DNA fragments after electrophoretic separation. DNA recovery from an agarose gel includes three basic steps: binding, washing and eluting from a silica column. DNA is believed to bind to silica in the presence of high salt via a salt bridge. Following binding, DNA is washed of impurities and eluted under low salt conditions disrupting this interaction. This video goes through a step-by-step, generalized procedure for cutting out a band from the gel, gel...

Bead Sprouting Assay for Early-Stage Angiogenesis Assessment: An In Vitro Bead-Based Model to Study Endothelial Sprouting in the Presence of Pericytes

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2025

This video demonstrates a modified microcarrier beads-based assay incorporating pericytes to study endothelial sprouting during the early stages of angiogenesis. The assay provides an in vitro experimental model to understand molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis and the effect of anti-angiogenetic therapeutics.

Education

JoVE Science Education - Basic Biology
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DNA Gel Electrophoresis

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2023

DNA gel electrophoresis is a technique used for the detection and separation of DNA molecules. An electric field is applied to a gel matrix comprised of agarose, and within the gel, charge particles will migrate and separate based on size. The negatively charged phosphates of the DNA backbone cause DNA fragments to move toward the anode - a positively charged electrode. The video explains the mechanism by which DNA fragments are resolved on an agarose gel, and it provides a step-by-step...

Research

JoVE Journal - Biology
Free Sample

Staining Proteins in Gels

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Cited by 7 •

2008

Following separation by electrophoretic methods, proteins in a gel can be detected by several staining methods. Staining of proteins with Coomassie Blue, Silver Staining, SYPRO Orange, SYPRO Ruby are demonstrated in this video.

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