Polyethylene Glycol 1500 (PEG): Properties, Uses & FAQs

Polyethylene Glycol 1500（PEG） is a water-soluble, waxy solid polymer widely used in research laboratories as a cell fusion agent, cryoprotectant, and pharmaceutical excipient.

Product Name

Polyethylene Glycol 1500 (PEG)

SKU

P615460

Average Molecular Weight

~1500 g/mol (nominal)

Physical Form

Waxy solid / paste at room temperature

Solubility

Freely soluble in water and many polar organic solvents

Primary Laboratory Use

Cell fusion (hybridoma production), cryoprotection, polymer matrix

Reference Standard

Comparable to Sigma catalog 10783641001

What Is Polyethylene Glycol 1500?

Polyethylene Glycol 1500 (PEG 1500) is a synthetic polymer of ethylene oxide with a nominal average molecular weight of approximately 1500 g/mol. At room temperature it exists as a waxy, off-white solid or paste. Like all members of the PEG family, it is non-ionic, biocompatible, and freely soluble in water and polar organic solvents such as ethanol and acetone. Its repeating unit is –(OCH₂CH₂)–, and the number of repeat units (n) for PEG 1500 is typically in the range of 29–36, giving a relatively low melt viscosity compared to higher-molecular-weight PEGs. These physicochemical characteristics make PEG 1500 a versatile reagent in cell biology, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical formulation research.

Key Applications in Research

Cell Fusion and Hybridoma Production: PEG 1500 is the gold-standard fusogen for producing hybridoma cells. When a suspension of B lymphocytes and myeloma cells is briefly exposed to a concentrated PEG 1500 solution, membrane destabilization promotes cell–cell fusion, enabling production of monoclonal antibody-secreting hybridomas. Protocols commonly use a 50% (w/v) PEG 1500 solution in serum-free medium.

Cryoprotection: PEG 1500 can reduce ice crystal formation during freezing of biological samples, serving as a supplemental cryoprotectant in certain applications.

Polymer Precipitation and Crystallization: Its ability to alter solvent activity makes PEG 1500 useful for precipitating proteins and nucleic acids, and as an additive in macromolecular crystallography screens.

Pharmaceutical and Formulation Research: As a low-molecular-weight solid PEG, it is used as a binder, lubricant, or plasticizer in tablet formulation studies and as an excipient vehicle for drug delivery research.

Handling, Storage, and Safety

Storage: Store PEG 1500 at room temperature (15–25 °C) in a tightly closed container, away from moisture and direct light. Under these conditions the product is stable for an extended period.

Preparation of Working Solutions: To prepare a 50% (w/v) solution for cell fusion, weigh the required amount of PEG 1500 and dissolve in warmed (37 °C), sterile, serum-free medium or PBS. Filter-sterilize through a 0.22 µm membrane if required for cell culture use. Note that PEG solutions are viscous; pre-warming to 37 °C improves handling.

Safety: PEG 1500 is generally regarded as having low acute toxicity. Standard laboratory PPE (gloves, lab coat, safety glasses) should be worn. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for P615460 for complete hazard information before use.

Product Specifications & Quality

Aladdin Scientific's PEG 1500 (SKU: P615460) is comparable in quality and specification to Sigma catalog reference 10783641001. Key quality parameters typically evaluated for PEG 1500 include average molecular weight confirmation, hydroxyl value, water content (Karl Fischer), pH of aqueous solution, heavy metals content, and microbiological suitability for cell-culture-grade applications. Researchers requiring cell-culture-compatible material should verify the grade and certificate of analysis (CoA) prior to use. Certificates of Analysis for specific lot numbers are available on request from Aladdin Scientific customer service.

Ordering and Customer Support

PEG 1500 is available from Aladdin Scientific under SKU P615460. To place an order, visit the Aladdin Scientific website, search by SKU or product name, and add the desired quantity to your cart. Bulk quantities and custom packaging may be available — contact our sales team for a quote. For technical questions regarding application protocols, purity grades, or compatibility, please reach out to our technical support team. For queries related to returns, shipping, payment, or account management, our customer service team is available via the website contact portal.

Frequently asked questions

What is PEG 1500 commonly used for in the laboratory?

PEG 1500 is most widely used as a cell fusion agent for hybridoma production in monoclonal antibody workflows. It is also used as a cryoprotectant, a precipitant for proteins and nucleic acids, an additive in macromolecular crystallography, and a pharmaceutical excipient in formulation research.

How do I prepare a 50% PEG 1500 solution for cell fusion?

Weigh the required amount of PEG 1500 and dissolve it in an equal volume of pre-warmed (37 °C) sterile, serum-free medium or PBS to achieve a 50% (w/v) concentration. Mix gently until fully dissolved, then filter-sterilize through a 0.22 µm membrane before use in cell culture.

What is the difference between PEG 1500 and other molecular weight PEGs?

PEG polymers are available across a broad molecular weight range (e.g., PEG 400, PEG 4000, PEG 8000). Lower-molecular-weight PEGs such as PEG 400 are liquids, while PEG 1500 is a waxy solid with a relatively low melt viscosity. Higher-molecular-weight PEGs are harder solids with greater viscosity in solution. PEG 1500's combination of solid form and effective membrane-disrupting properties makes it particularly suitable for cell fusion applications.

How should PEG 1500 (P615460) be stored?

Store PEG 1500 at room temperature (15–25 °C) in a tightly sealed container, protected from moisture and light. No refrigeration is required under normal conditions.

Is Aladdin's PEG 1500 (P615460) equivalent to Sigma 10783641001?

Aladdin Scientific's PEG 1500 (P615460) is described as comparable to Sigma catalog reference 10783641001. Researchers should review the Certificate of Analysis for the specific lot received to confirm that the product meets their experimental specifications.

What safety precautions should I take when handling PEG 1500?

PEG 1500 has low acute toxicity, but standard laboratory PPE including gloves, lab coat, and safety glasses should be worn. Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for SKU P615460 before use for complete hazard, first-aid, and disposal information.

References

1. Sigma-Aldrich / Merck product reference: Polyethylene Glycol 1500, catalog number 10783641001. Product information page.
2. Kohler G, Milstein C. Continuous cultures of fused cells secreting antibody of predefined specificity. Nature. 1975;256(5517):495-497. doi:10.1038/256495a0
3. Harris JM, ed. Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Chemistry: Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications. Plenum Press, New York, 1992.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.