Magnetic Aggregation Separation
Magnetic aggregation separation is one of the most important techniques used in biological sciences to separate cells, particles, and proteins. It utilizes a magnetic force to collect target particles and separate them from the rest of the solution. The force is generated by magnets attached with specific chemical agents that can bind to the particles of interest. In this way, the particles can be collected into discrete clusters and easily separated away from the other particles in the solution.
The most common type of magnetic aggregation separation is utilizing magnetic beads or particles. These beads are treated in a way that they attach to the biomolecules of interest; either through antibodies or other ligands like lectin, biotin, DNA and so on. An external magnetic field is then applied to the tube containing the particles in suspension. This forces the particles to be attracted to one another and form a mat at the bottom of the tube. By changing the strength of the magnetic field, the size of the aggregation can be varied.
Once the desired mat is achieved, it can be easily collected by centrifugation or filtration. This process allows for efficient separation and selection of the specific molecules that were targeted when the beads were designed. Magnetic beads are very specific and can be designed to bind to a wide range of molecules, making them one of the most effective tools in bio-separation.
Beyond separating cells, particles, and proteins, magnetic aggregation separation is also used to isolate and purify specific viruses. This is achieved by coating the virus particles with a specific chemical agent that can bind to the surface. By applying a powerful external magnetic field, the viral particles are forced to aggregate and bind to the bead. The beads can then be collected and passed through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to isolate the material of interest.
Another use for this method is to collect rare cells from suspension in a liquid sample. By applying the magnetic bead technology to the sample, rare cells or tissues can be collected and separated away from other materials in the sample. This is particularly useful in the fields of oncology, biobanking, and stem cell research, as it allows the researcher to isolate specific cells without the need for complex and expensive equipment.
Overall, magnetic aggregation separation is a quick and easy way to separate specific molecules or cells from a complex suspension in a liquid sample. It has been used in the past to collect cells, particles, and proteins, but has become even more valuable with the emergence of technologies that allow for the isolation of rare cells. This method is highly versatile and is widely used in a variety of scientific fields.
