Amphiphilic Zwitterionic Copolymer
Poly(MPC-co-Styrene)
Also known as Poly(MPC-co-St) | MPC monomer CAS 67881-98-5 · Styrene monomer CAS 100-42-5
An amphiphilic copolymer of MPC and styrene, developed as a synthetic blocking reagent for ELISA and other immunoassay formats — an alternative to BSA and casein that stays active longer at far lower use concentrations. The styrene segment also gives it strong affinity for polystyrene diagnostic surfaces.
- Configurable MPC:styrene ratio, custom Mw available
MPC CAS 67881-98-5
MPC — Styrene
Amphiphilic random copolymer
![poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-styrene]](https://polylactide.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/poly2-methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine-co-styrene-768x380.png)
Appearance: White to off-white powder
Character: Amphiphilic, water-soluble
Primary Use: Immunoassay blocking
Storage: -20 °C, keep dry
ISO 9001:2015
Manufactured under certified quality management
Batch-Consistent
No animal-derived variability, unlike BSA/casein
Batch-Level COA
Ratio and Mw confirmation per lot
Sample to Bulk
1 g R&D vials up to multi-gram supply
MPC Monomer CAS
67881-98-5
Styrene Monomer CAS
100-42-5
Character
Amphiphilic, water-soluble
Typical Use Level
0.01 – 0.1 wt%
Package
1g / 10g / 100g
Poly(MPC-co-Styrene) vs. BSA / casein
Reported performance in immunoassay blocking studies comparing this copolymer against conventional protein-based blocking reagents.
Cell-membrane mimicry
MPC's phosphorylcholine head group is the same polar group found on the outer leaflet of natural cell membranes.
Bound hydration layer
The zwitterionic charge pair binds water tightly at the surface, forming a hydration shell that physically blocks protein contact.
Non-specific protein resistance
Unlike PEG, the zwitterionic mechanism resists a broad range of proteins and cells without relying on steric shielding alone.
HEMA provides structure
The HEMA co-monomer gives the copolymer hydrogel-forming, film-forming mechanical behavior that pure pMPC alone doesn't have.
Figures reflect published comparative blocking-reagent studies on polystyrene immunoassay surfaces; results can vary with assay format and target antigen — we recommend validating in your own protocol.
Typical values for our standard grade. MPC:styrene ratio and molecular weight are configurable.
Synonyms | Poly(MPC-co-St) · MPC-styrene copolymer · Synthetic ELISA blocking reagent |
|---|---|
| MPC Monomer CAS | 67881-98-5 |
| Styrene Monomer CAS | 100-42-5 |
| MPC Monomer Formula | C₁₁H₂₂NO₆P, MW 295.27 g/mol |
| Styrene Monomer Formula | C₈H₈, MW 104.15 g/mol |
| Copolymer Type | Random (statistical) copolymer, amphiphilic |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| MPC:Styrene Ratio | Configurable — specify at order |
| Molecular Weight | Custom Mw available; specify at order |
| Solubility | Water-soluble (amphiphilic self-assembly in aqueous media) |
| Typical Blocking Use Level | 0.01 – 0.1 wt% in aqueous buffer |
| Storage Conditions | -20 °C, sealed, protected from moisture |
| Package Sizes | 1 g, 10 g, 100 g per bottle |
Need a specific MPC:styrene ratio or assay-format validation guidance? Talk to technical sales →
Choose your ratio by application
More styrene improves affinity for polystyrene substrates; more MPC strengthens the antifouling/blocking layer.
Higher Styrene
Substrate-affinity focus
Balanced
Standard blocking grade
Default grade for most ELISA and immunoassay blocking applications.
High MPC
Antifouling-strength focus
Applications
ELISA blocking reagent
Blocks nonspecific antibody adsorption on microplate wells at a fraction of typical BSA/casein use levels.
Lateral flow assay treatment
Reduces background signal on polystyrene- and nitrocellulose-based rapid-test substrates.
Biosensor surface passivation
Coats polystyrene-based sensor chips and cuvettes to minimize nonspecific binding background.
Diagnostic device coatings
General-purpose antifouling coating for polystyrene and other styrenic diagnostic plasticware.
Multiplex assay background reduction
Lower background across multi-analyte panels where consistent, low nonspecific binding matters most.
Microarray surface blocking
Reduces nonspecific probe/target binding on array substrates for cleaner signal-to-noise ratios.
Animal-free assay development
Fits assay workflows that need to avoid animal-derived reagents for regulatory or consistency reasons.
General polystyrene antifouling coating
Extends beyond immunoassays to any application needing a low-fouling coating on styrenic substrates.
Data & safety documents
Batch-specific COAs confirm MPC:styrene ratio and molecular weight. Contact us for a particular lot number.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format · EN / ZH
Certificate of Analysis
Ratio + Mw confirmation
¹H-NMR Spectrum
Structure confirmation
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
No — as a random copolymer with a configurable monomer ratio, it doesn’t have one universal CAS Registry Number. It’s identified by catalog number, with the monomer CAS numbers (MPC 67881-98-5, styrene 100-42-5) provided for reference.
BSA and casein are animal-derived, which introduces lot-to-lot variability and a small risk of cross-reactivity in some assays. This copolymer is fully synthetic, so it blocks consistently between batches, stays active longer, and works at a fraction of the concentration.
Published studies report effective blocking at 0.01–0.1 wt% in aqueous buffer, well below the ~1.0 wt% typically used for BSA or casein. We recommend titrating within this range for your specific assay and antigen.
The styrene segment gives it particularly strong affinity for polystyrene, the most common ELISA plate material, but the amphiphilic character also lets it adsorb onto other moderately hydrophobic assay surfaces. Substrate-specific validation is recommended.
BMA targets blood-contacting device coatings, HEMA gives a neutral hydrogel, MAA adds pH-response and a conjugation handle, and PEGMA maximizes antifouling/lubricity. Styrene’s aromatic hydrophobic segment is what gives this grade its specific affinity for polystyrene diagnostic surfaces and its blocking-reagent performance.
Store at -20°C, sealed, and protected from moisture. Prepare working blocking solutions fresh or per your validated protocol, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles of stock solutions.