The CovaLink™ NH Secondary Amine surface was developed for covalent coupling of peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids to polystyrene. It exhibits approximately 10¹⁴ secondary amine groups per cm² of surface area. The functional group is spaced 2 nm from the polystyrene surface to minimize steric hinderance. Proteins and peptides may be bound at the N- or C- terminus. Nucleic acids are bound specifically at the 5'- end through a phosphoramidate bond. The CovaLink™ NH secondary amine product is available in a 1 x 8 module format with a flat bottom well geometry (F8).

Covalent binding through a secondary amine group has a number of advantages over passive adsorption that encompass high binding strength, binding of distinct functional groups, specific orientation of molecules and improved stability.

MaxiSorp™ is a polystyrene based modified surface with a high affinity for polar groups. This surface is recommended for assays in which glycoproteins such as antibodies are adsorbed to the plastic surface. Double antibody “sandwich” immuno assays such as ELISA developed on the MaxiSorp™ surface generally have excellent sensitivity.

MaxiSorp™ is available as a certified surface based on adsorption of IgG. The CV of each lot must be less than 5%, and results from all wells must be within +/-10% of the mean. MaxiSorp™ surfaces are available in a variety of product configurations, including plates, modules and tubes.

MediSorp™ is a polystyrene surface treated to bind molecules of an intermediate hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature. This surface is less hydrophilic than MaxiSorp™. MediSorp™ is optimised for performing assays using human sera, as the signal to noise ratio tends to be improved for this application compared to MaxiSorp™.

MiniSorp™ products are produced from a specially formulated polyethylene resin. The MiniSorp™ surface has a very low affinity for proteins. Therefore, products with this surface are ideal for solution based and DNA probe assays in which non-specific binding must be avoided. The MiniSorp™ surface is only available in tube format.

This is a very hydrophilic polystyrene surface. It is suggested as a surface for the immobilisation of highly polar molecules or for homogeneous assays in hydrophobic analytes, which will not adhere to this type of surface.

The PolySorp™ surface is less polar than the MaxiSorp™ surface. It is recommended for use with more hydrophobic molecules, such as viral antigens. The PolySorp™ surface may be preferred to the MaxiSorp™ surface in double antibody “sandwich” assays, particularly if problems with high background readings on the MaxiSorp™ surface cannot be resolved. High background can be caused by high concentrations of antibodies in the sample or analyte non-specifically adsorbing to the plastic surface. PolySorp™ surfaces are available in a variety of product configurations, including plates, modules, and tubes.

The NucleoLink™ surface is optimised for amplification of nucleic acids hybridised to primers covalently coupled to the plastic surface. With NucleoLink™ Strips the same well is used for sample capture, followed by target amplification and subsequently for detection by hybridisation. The transfer of the amplicon from the amplification system to the detection system is eliminated, simplifying manipulation and reducing the risk of contamination. The strips may be used solely for hybridisation.

NucleoLink™ Strips are polymer strips of eight, thin walled wells; with optically clear bottoms in a 96 MicroWell™ plate format. They are compatible with several V-bottom, 0.2 ml tube block thermal cyclers. The thin walled strips are made of an activated, heat stable, polymer and support covalent binding of DNA by carbodiimide mediated condensation.

Detection in an amplification assay is simplified with “ELISA-like” procedures using hapten labelled probes, enzymes and substrates. Since different functional groups or enzymes can be coupled to DNA, there are no limits to “ELISA-like” methods of detection and measurement. The results can be read on a colorimeter or a fluorometer.

Polycarbonate TopYield™ Strips have the same configuration as NucleoLink™ Strips. They are designed for solution phase PCR and are compatible with several V-bottom, 0.2 ml tube block thermal cyclers. The thin walled strips mimic heating and cooling curves of standard 0.2 ml amplification tubes. TopYield™ Strips have the added benefit of an optical window with a flat readable bottom.

Most of Nunc's cell culture vessels are made of highly characterised, virgin polystyrene with a surface modified for adherent cell culture. The Nunclon trademark moulded in the product indicates the item is manufactured from this special cell culture grade polystyrene and has undergone the Nunclon™ Δ surface modification to facilitate cell attachment as explained previously. The Nunclon™ treatment is limited to the intended growth area. Areas such as necks of flasks, sides of dishes and plates are not treated. This prevents cell attachment and growth in undesired areas.

The Nunclon™ Δ polystyrene surface is certified for monolayer formation with two different cell lines and a primary cell culture. Cloning efficiency is performed with a specially selected cell line that has a high sensitivity to the presence of any toxic compounds. The cell types used in the Nunclon™ Δ certification procedure are as listed:

• PCE: Primary Chick embryo cells. These cells are used to test for the Nunclon™ Δ treated surface in support of primary cell growth.
• HEL 299 (ATCC CCL 137): This line was derived from embryonic lung tissue of a human male. It is a diploid fibroblast-like cell line initially developed for use in vaccine development. It is used to test for monolayer formation.
• V79-4 (ATCC CCL93): This cell line was derived from the lung tissue of a male Chinese hamster. These cells are used to test for cloning efficiency.
• L929 (ATCC CCL 1): This fibroblast-like cell line was derived from a cloned strain. The parent L strain was derived from normal subartaneous areolar and adipose tissue of a male C3H/An mouse. It is used for testing monolayer formation.

Permanox™ plastic is a proprietary resin used to produce a select group of Nunc cell culture products. It is a member of the polyolefin family of resins and has desirable characteristics such as minimal autofluoresence, greater oxygen permeability, and better chemical compatibility as compared to polystyrene. Like polystyrene, Permanox™ requires surface modification or “cell culture treatment” to optimise cell adherence and growth. Scientists report that hepatocytes grow exceptionally well on Permanox™.

Nunc's Lab-Tek™ Chamber Slide™ system, which is a miniature culture vessel affixed to a microscope slide, uses the Permanox™ material for the plastic slide component because of its capabilities. Nunc 60x15 mm cell culture dishes and a 4-well miniature culture vessel called SonicSeal Slide Wells are also available in Permanox™ plastic.

Thermanox™ plastic is a proprietary polyester film use to produce Nunc cell culture coverslips. The surface is modified to achieve a hydrophilic state for cell adherence and growth. Thermanox™ plastic is highly resistant to solvents including those commonly used in electron microscopy and has a very low oxygen content. Thermanox™ will exhibit autofluorescence at various wavelengths.

Soda lime glass is commonly used to manufacture standard microscope slides; whereas borosilicate glass is the type of glass used to produce glass coverslips. Both types of glass are naturally charged and provide a good growth surface for adherent cell types. Nunc's Lab-Tek™ Chamber Slide™ and Chambered Coverglass products employ both types of glass, respectively, for the growth surface. Even though surface treatment is not required, the glass slides undergo stringent washing procedures to ensure a clean non-toxic surface.