Fruit fly (larva)
Bullet Blender® homogenization protocol

  • Extract molecules (DNA, RNA, protein, chemicals)
  • Wet final product
  • Sample sizes: 100 to 1000 mg.

Notes on the protocol: This protocol does not specify a particular buffer - you may choose which is most appropriate for your downstream application (nucleic acid isolation, protein extraction, etc.).

User note: The larvae should be washed in PBS to clean off surface contaminants (food, waste, etc.) before processing.

Materials Required

uL

One of these Bullet Blenders

  • Bullet Blender 5 Storm (BBY5M)
  • Bullet Blender 5E (BBY5E)
  • Bullet Blender 5 Gold (BB5E-AU)

Reagents

Homogenization buffer
2 x volume of sample
PBS (optional)
2 x volume of sample

Bead choices

  • 0.5 mm zirconium oxide beads (ZROB05) Use a volume of beads equivalent to 1 x the volume of the sample

Procedure

  1. Place the sample in the tube with the beads.
  2. (Optional) Wash the sample 3x with 1/2 tube volume of PBS to remove surface contaminants.
  3. Close the tubes tightly and place them in the Bullet Blender.
  4. Set the controls for Speed 8 and Time 3. Press Start.
  5. After the run, remove the tubes from the instrument and visually inspect the samples. If homogenization is incomplete, repeat the homogenization step at a higher speed.
  6. Proceed with your downstream application.