A highly stable sucrose polymer with an average molecular weight of 400000. Suitable for forming density gradients for separating and isolating eukaryotic cells, organelles and bacterial cells, as a stabilizing agent, and as a preparation medium for isolating mononuclear cells.

• For producing density gradients for separation of cells and subcellular components by centrifugation or by sedimentation at unit gravity
• Concentrations of up to 50% (w/v) covering densities of up to 1.2g/mL can be achieved
• Better osmotic properties than sucrose
• Preserves functional and morphological integrity
• Useful for separating cells that are sensitive to centrifugation and for separating cells of similar density but different size (under conditions of sedimentation at unit gravity)
• Does not penetrate biological membranes
• Serves as the raw material for preparation of Ficoll-Paque gradients
• Used in other applications such as electrophoresis, hybridization, cryopreservation, and as a hapten carrier