Bead mill homogenizers use beads to homogenize - no surprises there. The beads are vigorously shaken to break up tissue and disrupt cells. Bead mills are great for breaking up tissue and many are high-throughput. Furthermore, because there are no probes, samples are self-contained and there is a reduced opportunity for contamination (both cross-contamination as well as contamination of the laboratory environment). You can learn more about bead mill homogenization in the Application Center.
Each different brand of bead mill has a different mechanism for shaking the beads, each with their pros and cons. Click on an instrument below for more information, and don't hesitate to ask us a question if you have any.