Separation techniques using magnetic carriers (either beads or particles) are often used in the life sciences to ‘capture’ specific biomolecules. These techniques utilize immunocapture, DNA fragments, or electrical charge in order to specifically target the biomolecule of choice. After magnetic capture of the biomolecule, magnetic forces can separate it from the rest of the milieu. Because of the seeming ease of separation, biomagnetic techniques are used by some as the ‘gold standard’ of separation technology.
Lluis M. Martínez, SEPMAG Chief Scientific Officer
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The 10th Clinical Laboratory Provider and Blood Transfusion Equipment Expo (CACLP), will be held in the Xi’an Greenland Pico International Convention & Exhibition Center next march. This Trade Show will attract to the city of the Terra Cotta Warriors main Chinese companies as well as major foreign players with interests in the In Vitro Diagnostic sector.
Protein purification using magnetic particles is well established in life science R&D but has not reached commercial acceptance for larger scale applications in bioprocessing. Preparative scale purification of antibodies using magnetic beads is far more time efficient, however existing column chromatography methods are significantly cheaper. To be competitive, the main challenges that need to be addressed for magnetic separations are:
Biomagnetic separation technology is being widely adopted in many biotech and other life science industries. The managers of these industries spend a lot of energy, time and resources choosing the correct beads for their applications, however they often overlook very important variables that need to be controlled pertaining to the magnetic bead separation process.
In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Immunoassays are some of the most successful life science magnetic bead and particle research applications that have come to market. The demand for such technology in hospitals and laboratories in particular, has grown dramatically.
It is common knowledge that industries and biotech companies must validate any production process in order to maintain the consistency of their products. In processes that cannot be validated at a high level, lot numbers become very important so that the end user can compare and understand lot to lot variation.
Non-homogeneous biomagnetic separation processes are difficult to validate and standardize. The fact that magnetic beads move at different speeds due to the varied magnetic forces in a non-homogeneous environment makes monitoring the production almost impossible.
A Tool for Synthesis Monitoring and Biomagnetic Applications
SEPMAG will be attending MEDICA on November 14, 15 and 16 in Düsseldorf, Germany. If you are attending too, we will be delighted to meet you and discuss how our proprietary technology may help your company to implement a state of the art biomagnetic separation process.
