N,N′-Methylenebis-Acrylamide, 2% (CAS 110-26-9)

N,N′-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA), serves as a cross-linking agent in the polymerization of acrylamide to form polyacrylamide gels, commonly used in techniques such as SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). In this process, MBAA reacts with acrylamide monomers to form covalent bonds between polymer chains, resulting in the formation of a stable gel matrix. This gel matrix is essential for separating proteins and nucleic acids based on their size during electrophoresis. Moreover, MBAA is utilized in various gel-based assays and techniques, including native PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), isoelectric focusing, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Its ability to form cross-links within polyacrylamide gels enhances the resolution and reproducibility of these assays, enabling the separation and analysis of complex mixtures of biomolecules. Furthermore, MBAA finds applications in the synthesis of hydrogels and polyacrylamide-based materials used in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biomedical applications. Its cross-linking properties enable the fabrication of hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and controlled release characteristics, making them suitable for various biomedical applications.