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November 2020 Share

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 naive T cells. Naive T cells are unassigned T lymphocytes that search for an …

October 2020 Share

“Akadeum cell isolation kits isolate high purity samples in a matter of minutes, no magnets needed!” At Akadeum Life Sciences, we love to hear how our products perform in real-world research that is happening in laboratories across the country. A research group at a prestigious east coast laboratory recently used the Mouse T Cell Isolation Kit from Akadeum Life Sciences in the course of their research into understanding the link …

October 2020 Share

Figuring out how to separate cells is an important part of any medical researcher’s job. There are a multitude of ways to sort different types of substances and the right process often depends on what you’re trying to isolate. One of the quicker and cheaper ways to sort a sample based only on physical characteristics is with centrifugation. Density Gradient Centrifugation The process of centrifugation allows scientists to separate substances …

October 2020 Share

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 naive T cells. Naive T cells are unassigned T lymphocytes that search for an …

October 2020 Share

Circulating Tumor Cells When a tumor is present in the human body, cells naturally eliminate in the beginning stages of formation and growth. These residual fragments in the bloodstream are called circulating tumor cells (CTCs). CTCs are highly valued in the medical research community because they can alert doctors to the presence of a tumor before imaging. By working backwards, scientists can use CTCs to identify the approximate size and …

October 2020 Share

MACS, FACS, and BACS are cell sorting techniques with individualized processes to isolation. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the goal, it may be more beneficial to choose one or the other. MACS Magnetic-activated cell sorting, or MACS, is a cell separation technology which separates cells using magnets to target them. MACS is a popular form of cell isolation known to be reliable with a sustainable processing time. …

October 2020 Share

Cytotoxic T Cells A cytotoxic T cell (CD8+ T cell) is a type of lymphocyte 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 to …

September 2020 Share

What Is Buoyancy Activated Cell Sorting (BACS)? Isolating cells is a key part of life sciences research. Buoyancy Activated Cell Sorting, also known as BACS, is the process of sorting cells by using buoyant microbubbles. By coating the microbubbles with antibodies, the target cells attach to the surface of the microbubbles, effectively separating them from the non-target cells. Then the microbubbles—composed of a gaseous core that is often shelled by …

September 2020 Share

Have you run into this problem before?   You’re studying a rare or limited cell population. You prepare your sample and run fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS™). It’s time consuming. The longer it takes, the more cell death happens. You’re having trouble collecting enough cells for downstream applications. You’re frustrated. You wish there were a better way. A magic wand, perhaps.   You’re not alone. Sample preparation is critical to …

September 2020 Share

Ah, the wonders of the immune system. It is undeniably powerful, protecting the body from a wide range of pathogens. At the same time, it must also avoid harming the body through excessive reactions to non-harmful materials. The immune system has the ability to recognize which molecules are produced by the body and which are not. Then, it can attack foreign invaders while avoiding self-produced antigens. When functioning properly, this …