A method for preparation of a primer-conjugated bead, comprising: a. coupling a plurality of polymer chains comprising a plurality of first reactive groups to an aminated bead to provide a plurality of second reactive groups coupled to the bead through a respective one of the polymer chains; and b. covalently attaching amine- or hydroxy-terminated primers to the plurality of second reactive groups to form the primer-conjugated bead, wherein an individual polymer chain of the plurality of polymer chains comprises a repeat unit comprising a functional group that is different from functional groups of the plurality of first reactive groups and the plurality of second reactive groups, wherein the functional group is hydrophilic, and wherein the individual polymer chain comprises the functional group at an amount greater than or equal to 40 mol%, wherein a given polymer chain of the plurality of polymer chains comprises a carbon backbone of the formula: wherein 'T' is selected from the group consisting of NH 2, NH(CH 3), N(CH 3) 2, NH(CH 2) t OH, (OCH 2 CH 2) v CH 3, (OCH 2 CH 2) v OH, (OCH 2 CH 2) v OCH 3 and OCH 3, wherein 't' is 1 to 4, 'v' is 1 to 100; wherein 'R 2 ', 'R 3 ', 'R 4 ' and 'R 5 ' are independently H or CH 3; and wherein 'y' and 'z' are mole percentages, wherein ('y'+ 'z') = 100 mol%, and wherein 'y' is less than or equal to 60 mol% and 'z' is greater than or equal to 40 mol%. a. coupling a plurality of polymer chains comprising a plurality of first reactive groups to an aminated bead to provide a plurality of second reactive groups coupled to the bead through a respective one of the polymer chains; and b. covalently attaching amine- or hydroxy-terminated primers to the plurality of second reactive groups to form the primer-conjugated bead, wherein an individual polymer chain of the plurality of polymer chains comprises a repeat unit comprising a functional group that is different from functional groups of the plurality of first reactive groups and the plurality of second reactive groups, wherein the functional group is hydrophilic, and wherein the individual polymer chain comprises the functional group at an amount greater than or equal to 40 mol%, wherein a given polymer chain of the plurality of polymer chains comprises a carbon backbone of the formula: wherein 'T' is selected from the group consisting of NH 2, NH(CH 3), N(CH 3) 2, NH(CH 2) t OH, (OCH 2 CH 2) v CH 3, (OCH 2 CH 2) v OH, (OCH 2 CH 2) v OCH 3 and OCH 3, wherein 't' is 1 to 4, 'v' is 1 to 100; wherein 'R 2 ', 'R 3 ', 'R 4 ' and 'R 5 ' are independently H or CH 3; and wherein 'y' and 'z' are mole percentages, wherein ('y'+ 'z') = 100 mol%, and wherein 'y' is less than or equal to 60 mol% and 'z' is greater than or equal to 40 mol%. wherein 'T' is selected from the group consisting of NH 2, NH(CH 3), N(CH 3) 2, NH(CH 2) t OH, (OCH 2 CH 2) v CH 3, (OCH 2 CH 2) v OH, (OCH 2 CH 2) v OCH 3 and OCH 3, wherein 't' is 1 to 4, 'v' is 1 to 100; wherein 'R 2 ', 'R 3 ', 'R 4 ' and 'R 5 ' are independently H or CH 3; and wherein 'y' and 'z' are mole percentages, wherein ('y'+ 'z') = 100 mol%, and wherein 'y' is less than or equal to 60 mol% and 'z' is greater than or equal to 40 mol%.