The Whole Blood Column Kit is suited for the separation of leukocyte subsets directly from anticoagulated human whole blood or bone marrow. The kit contains Whole Blood Columns and Whole Blood Column Elution Buffer for convenient positive selection of cells labeled with Whole Blood MicroBeads.
Whole Blood Columns are designed for use with:
MidiMACS™ Separator
QuadroMACS™ Separator
VarioMACS™ Separator, in combination with an LS Column Adapter
SuperMACS™ II Separator
MultiMACS Cell24 Separator Plus, in combination with the Single Column Adapter
Column capacity
Up to 15 mL whole blood
For use with the MultiMACS Cell24 Separator Plus:
Up to 10 mL whole blood
Background information
Whole Blood Columns in combination with StraightFrom
®
Whole Blood MicroBeads allow cell separation directly from whole blood, without density-gradient centrifugation and erythrocyte lysis. Optimal flow rates of whole blood samples during cell separation are achieved by a specially developed two-layer column matrix.
The matrix of Whole Blood Columns consists of ferromagnetic spheres and a small layer of non-magnetic spheres. The matrix is covered with a cell-friendly coating. When placed in the magnetic field of a MACS
®
Separator, the spheres amplify the magnetic field by 10,000-fold, thus inducing a high gradient within the column. This is crucial for isolation of cells that are only minimally labeled with MACS
®
MicroBeads, leaving enough epitopes free for concurrent antibody staining. The space between the spheres is several times larger than primary and most cultured cells. This allows the cells to freely flow through the column. Magnetically labeled cells are held in suspension within the column and do not actually “bind” the column matrix. This suspension minimizes stress on the cells and allows for efficient sterile washing by avoiding cell aggregation.
The columns are individually packed in a sterile way.