Styrene-Maleic Acid Copolymer 2:1

What it means: About 30 nm — the approximate diameter of the nanodiscs formed.

Why it matters:

• Nanodisc size limits which membrane proteins or complexes fit inside one disc.
• Larger discs can hold larger proteins or more lipid around them.
• Smaller discs give a more uniform particle for some structural studies.
• Size also affects how nanodiscs behave in purification and imaging.
• Choosing the size before you start avoids repeating the reconstitution.
• Disc size can be checked by dynamic light scattering or electron microscopy.
• Using one disc size throughout a study keeps conditions comparable.
• Disc size also affects how much lipid surrounds the reconstituted protein.

For this product: SMA copolymer 2:1 forms nanodiscs of about 30 nm.

Tip: Keep the pH at 7.0–8.0 during nanodisc formation.

What it means: 10.1 kDa / 10.4 kDa — the average molecular weight of the copolymer.

Why it matters:

• The molecular weight helps you convert between mass and molar amounts.
• Copolymers with different compositions have different molecular weights.
• It is useful when you compare your conditions with published work.
• Recording the value makes your methods easy to report and repeat.
• Molecular weight also affects how the polymer behaves in solution.
• Different salt forms of the same copolymer have slightly different molecular weights.
• Using the right value avoids errors in polymer-to-lipid ratios.

For this product: The free acid is 10.1 kDa and the sodium salt is 10.4 kDa (10.1 kDa / 10.4 kDa).

Tip: Use the molecular weight of the form you bought when converting mass to molar amounts.

What it means: Powder or solution — the physical format of the product.

Why it matters:

• The format decides which equipment and steps you need.
• It tells you how many samples or conditions you can process at once.
• Knowing the format helps you plan bench time and handling steps.
• It helps you compare this product with others used for the same task.
• A familiar format shortens setup time for new users.
• The format also decides how much hands-on time each run takes.
• Choosing the right format avoids repeating work at a larger scale.

For this product: Choose powder or solution: free acid or sodium salt powder, or a 5% solution in 0.1 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.6.

Tip: Dissolve the free acid in a pH 8.5 buffer and the sodium salt in water.

What it means: Varies by Form — how the product is shipped.

Why it matters:

• The shipping condition tells you what to expect when the package arrives.
• Unpacking promptly lets you check the contents against the order.
• Checking the package on arrival helps you spot transport problems early.
• Storage conditions can differ from shipping conditions, so confirm them before the package arrives.
• Recording the arrival date and condition helps if questions come up later.
• Arranging for someone to receive the package avoids delays when it arrives.
• The shipping condition is chosen to keep the product as described during transport.

For this product: Shipping varies by form: the powders ship at room temperature and the solution ships cold; unpack promptly on arrival. Please contact us to confirm storage conditions.

Tip: Open and check the package on arrival, and contact us right away if anything is damaged or missing.