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Updated on Jan 23, 2024 Share

Cell Separation Using Magnetic Beads Due to a constant demand for enriched cell samples, there are a variety of methods used to isolate and extract target cells from a mixture. One of the more common techniques is magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). MACS uses magnetic beads and a magnetic separation column to perform cell enrichment. MACS The goal of MACS, also called immunomagnetic cell separation, is to isolate a single cell …

Updated on Mar 25, 2024 By Jason Ellis, PhD Share

Within the human body, a sophisticated network of cells orchestrates the complex immune response against harmful pathogens and cancerous cells. Central to this defense mechanism is peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which include lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, NK cells) and monocytes. These cells are critical in mediating the body’s immune system and developing innovative treatments, including adoptive immunotherapies like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy and T cell …

Updated on Nov 29, 2023 Share

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells PBMC stands for peripheral blood mononuclear cell. PBMCs are a variety of specialized immune cells that work together to protect our bodies from harmful pathogens. Their location in peripheral blood is significant because they act as a line of defense from infection and disease. PBMCs are typically collected by isolation from whole blood samples.  Where Do PBMCs Come From? PBMCs are developed in the bone marrow …

Updated on Nov 28, 2023 Share

What Is a Buffy Coat? In a sample of peripheral whole blood, less than 1% of the cells are white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. When researchers put the sample through a centrifuge, a machine that spins the blood, those WBCs and platelets combine to form their own layer suspended between the red blood cells (RBCs) and supernatant plasma. This thin layer is called a buffy coat because of its …

Updated on Nov 28, 2023 Share

Optimizing a cell separation method is critical for many researchers. There are various ways to sort different types of cells, and the best methodology often depends on the cell subset. One of the quicker and more cost-effective ways to sort a sample based only on physical characteristics is using centrifugation.

Updated on Nov 28, 2023 Share

Types of T Cells T Cells, or T lymphocytes, are a major part of the immune system. They are cells specifically designed to fight infections they have not yet encountered. As part of any research, there may be a time when you need T cells for isolation. They mature in the thymus until released into the bloodstream as naïve T cells. Naïve T cells are unassigned T lymphocytes that search for an …

Updated on Feb 15, 2024 By Jason Ellis, PhD Share

In the fast-evolving world of biomedical research, the ability to accurately classify and analyze cells is pivotal. Cell isolation and sorting technologies provide essential tools for researchers in several prominent fields, including immunology, cancer research, and stem cell studies.  Among the most prominent techniques are fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and the emerging buoyancy-activated cell sorting (BACS™). Each of these methods has unique advantages and challenges, shaping …

Updated on Nov 29, 2023 Share

Cytotoxic T Cells A cytotoxic T cell (CD8+ T cell) is a type of T cell responsible for eliminating substances the immune system identifies as harmful. Cytotoxic T cells play a critical role in limiting infections and bacteria in the body. Functions of Cytotoxic T Cells Viruses and other bacteria attack by multiplying and spreading diseases as infected cells. Once a cell is infected, there is no way for antibodies …

Updated on Nov 28, 2023 Share

How Is Plasma Separated From Blood? Each blood cell type has its own unique purpose and function and separating the various blood components allows scientists to analyze specific cell types. For example, human leukocytes can be used to study immunological functions such as cytokine production and surface marker expression. Other blood components can be used to detect diseases. Once separated, blood cells can be further isolated into cell subsets. Components …

Updated on Jun 13, 2021 Share

Can microbubbles be pelleted by centrifugation? In short, no. At least, not a pellet that you would see at the bottom of your tube when you spin down cells. Here’s how it works.