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Lluis M. Martínez, SEPMAG Chief Scientific Officer

Lluis M. Martínez, SEPMAG Chief Scientific Officer
Founder of SEPMAG, Lluis holds a PhD in Magnetic Materials by the UAB. He has conducted research at German and Spanish academic institutions. Having worked in companies in Ireland, USA and Spain, he has more than 20 years of experience applying magnetic materials and sensors to industrial products and processes. He has filed several international patents on the field and co-authored more than 20 scientific papers, most of them on the subject of magnetic particle movement.

Recent Posts

 

The Ising Model: A Simple Statistical Mechanics Model of Magnetism

Through a statistical mechanism lens, magnetism can be explained by a lattice of binary spins that can range from a completely random arrangement to total alignment. The percentage of alignment determines the magnetization of the material. These spins are typically denoted as up (+1) or down (-1), and the energy states of the system are defined by an equation involving the spin values, the applied magnetic field, and the interaction strength between neighboring spins. These energy states can be averaged to calculate a total energy or magnetization of the system. Exact mathematical solutions have been defined for the first and second dimensions, but the third dimension continues to elude mathematicians. However, computer simulation makes it possible to model the behavior of magnets in any dimension in various applied magnetic fields at different temperatures.

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Understanding the Magnetic Force for Scaling-up Biomagnetic Separation Processes

To successfully scale up a biomagnetic separation process is necessary to understand the key parameter governing it. To move a magnetic bead we need to apply a magnetic force over it. This force would make the bead move in a direction and be in equilibrium with the drag force generated by the viscosity of the buffer. The result would be a constant velocity (if the magnetic force is constant).

Free guide: 7 Keys to Successfully Scaling-up Biomagnetic Separation Processes

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Identifying pathogens by magnetic separation (MS) and magnetic relaxation switching (MRS)

In an attempt to improve upon current options for detecting pathogens and viruses, scientists in Beijing, China have created a new method that employs a combination of magnetic separation (MS) and magnetic relaxation switching (MRS). This new MS-MRS sensor is more rapid and portable than previous methods such as ELISA and PCR.

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Reversibly-Binding Immunomagnetic beads

Circulating tumor cells or CTC's are becoming an important target for early diagnosis of cancer. These cells leave the site of a primary or secondary tumor, circulate through the blood, and can potentially lead to metastasis. If doctors are able to detect these cells early it may be possible to stop the spread of cancer before it takes hold. In order to realize this idea it is necessary to capture these cells and keep them viable for in vitro cultures in order to understand gene expression, growth patterns, and catalog identifying surface markers.

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Using monitoring data for managing biomagnetic separation processes

When biomagnetic separation is used in production processes, quality control becomes a priority. The first step is to define and validate the process, but then the key point is checking the repeatability of every single batch. 

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Synthesis of single-core and multi-core iron-oxide nanoparticles

Iron-oxide nanoparticles are widely used in isolation techniques, diagnostics, and therapeutic treatments. This large range of applications naturally introduces variability in the way the particles are used and in desired properties and behavior. Luckily, iron-oxide nanoparticles are not all made alike, and one can select nanoparticles based on size, coating, aggregation tendencies, and behavior in magnetic fields. These properties are determined by synthesis methods.

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Parameterizing Biomagnetic Separation Curves

The purposeof monitoring a biomagnetic separation is to obtaina record of different processesto be able to compare the results. Using homogenous magnetic force, changes can easily be related toany modifications made tothe suspension. Changes tothe magnetic bead specifications(diameter, magnetic moment), concentration, andvariations in buffer viscosity suggest different separation process dynamics.

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Magnetically Controlled Movement of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) are multipotent cells that can proliferate rapidly and are able to follow a variety of differentiation pathways including adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, or myogenesis depending on environmental cues.

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Monitoring Biomagnetic Separation Production processes

The traditional way to check whether a Biomagnetic Separation Production process is complete is by sight. The technician/researcher looks at the suspension. At the beginning of the process the suspension is homogenous and opaque. When the separation process is complete, the magnetic beads are left on the walls of the vessel and the supernatant is transparent. When the suspension is ‘transparent’, the technician stops the process by extracting the supernatant, leaving the magnetic beads in the bottle. After repeating the same process several times, a separation time can be defined and used as a benchmark. With the traditional method, the only quality control record is the OK/no OK signed by the person handling the vessel with no supporting data. In case of a quality issue with the product, this may not be detected until a later stage, and there is no data to show whether the problem occurred before, during or after the biomagnetic separation.

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New IOP’s book ‘Designing Hybrid Nanoparticles’

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has just released a new book of the series IOP-Concise-Physics. ‘Designing Hybrid Nanoparticles’ provides a new insight into one of the most promising 'bottom-up' techniques, the modified magnetron-sputtering-based inert-gas-condensation (MS-IGC) system. The book, authored by Dr. Maria Benelmekki, SEPMAG’s scientific advisor, starts with an introduction to nanoparticles and nanotechnology. The chapter providesinteresting examples of their use to obtain different end-products –not just state-of-the art, but also looking back until classical times-. The most relevant of the chapter is the proposed classification of the nanoparticles based on their dimension, morphology and chemical composition. For the people interested on magnetic application, it isworthy to pay attention to the discussion on nanoparticle uniformity and agglomerations.

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Monitoring Biomagnetic Separation processes in small tubes

 

One of the problems of working with small tubes and classical magnetic separators (or simple magnets) is the lack of definition of the magnetic force. As the magnetic field and its gradient changes with distance, the force on the magnetic beads is not constant and variations in the behavior of the suspension are difficult to interpret.

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Tumor Depletion with Combined Magnetic Hyperthermia and Photodynamic Therapy

Scientists in Paris, France have engineered liposomes containing iron-oxide nanoparticles and photosensitizers, and have used them to ablate cancerous tumors in mice. While current experimental cancer treatments employ either magnetic hyperthermia techniques or photodynamic therapy, this work is a new attempt to combine the two techniques into one self-contained injectable vessel. Liposomes are spherical, self-assembling, lipid bilayer structures. In the lowest energy state the hydrophobic tails touch inside the bilayer, which forms a sphere with a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophilic inner cage useful for carrying drugs, or in this case iron-oxide nanoparticles.

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Monitoring Biomagnetic Separation processes options and choices

The standardmethodfor developing and validatingBiomagnetic separation processes is sampling the supernatant at different times. This sample is usually measured using a spectrophotometer. Bead concentration is determined by selecting the right wavelength to avoid interferences with the biomolecules presents in the buffer and comparing it with a calibration curve. The separation time is selected when the number of beads approaches zero. Magnetic susceptibility using the fundamental frequency or some of its harmonics has recently been proposed as alternative.

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The 20th Annual International Conference on Magnetism

Leading physicists and materials scientists from around the world will be migrating to Barcelona, Spain this July to discuss their newest and most exciting work with like-minded colleagues. The week-long conference will feature plenary and semi-plenary lectures, symposia, oral presentations, poster sessions, and plenty of opportunities for scientists to discuss their current research, find inspiration or answers, and spark ideas for future work.

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How to detect inconsistencies in magnetic beads separation?

It is hardly breakingnewsthat separation technologyis one of the most complex and important areas of biotechnology. Finding cost-effective separation techniques is a crucial factor forthe growth of industrial biotechnology. Not only is it necessary at the application point (diagnostics, protein purification, cell sorting) but also to facilitate large-scale production.

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Development of a multiple-antigenic-peptide paramagnetic bead for virus detection using magnetic separation and flow cytometry

In June of 2014, a group in Dublin, Ireland created a novel assay to detect Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) using magnetic separation and flow cytometry. Previous methods of detection relied on cell culture, polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, or fluorescent antibody diagnostics. Those methods, while quite effective, are time consuming and require a full laboratory. Magnetic separation takes seconds, and the emergence of portable flow cytometry systems makes this new assay feasible for use in the field.

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Two simple concepts for a better understanding of your Biomagnetic Separation process.

The apparentlysimple nature of the biomagnetic separation process is the reason for its great popularity in Life Science, but it is also one the causes behind problems with its proper application. All usersare aware of the working principle: the magnetic field applied generates a force over the magnetic beads or particles. It is very simple to perform a quick feasibility test: just take a small quantity of magnetic carriers in suspension, approach a magnet and – Voilà!the beads/particles will speed towards the magnet.

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Why Monitoring Biomagnetic Separation processes?

Biomagnetic Separation has numerous applications in Life Science. From cell sorting to molecular diagnostics,thistechnology can beused with volumes ranging from a few nanoliters (lab-on-chip) to tens of liters (production of IVD-reagents).Free PDF guide: "The Basic Guide  for Monitoring Biomagnetic Separation Processes"

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Magnetic Particles in Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting

What is Fluorescence Activated Cell sorting?

Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) is a technique to identify, count, and sort cells marked with a fluorescent label by suspending them in a fluid stream and passing them through a laser. The basic principles, first patented in 1953, were modified over the subsequent decade, and the first commercialized instrument was produced in 1968. Since then many advancements and variations on the theme have shaped modern instruments.

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Controlling Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth with Magnets in Lieu of a Scaffold

Many bioengineering laboratories are actively researching how to produce synthetic or natural scaffolds seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The aim of this work is to implant the structures into diseased or damaged sites and encourage healing by introducing a healthy pluripotent cell population on an anatomically correct form. Current research is particularly focused on including small molecules within the scaffold in order to steer MSCs to differentiate to a desired cell type. The number of possible combinations of scaffold material, biomolecular cues, and fabrication methods is vast and holds a lot of therapeutic potential.

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Targeted Magnetic Microsphere Delivery of DNA to Encourage Vascular Endothelial Growth

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a common procedure to clear blocked arteries. This is often accomplished by inserting a balloon catheter. At the site of the blockage the balloon is inflated and pushes against the arterial wall for a few minutes before being removed. In many cases this is sufficient to open the artery. However, the balloon often damages the arterial wall and it is important that the endothelium repairs itself quickly in order to prevent blood clots and excessive proliferation of smooth muscle (hyperplasia). A common method to stimulate endothelial growth is to introduce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) locally or through the bloodstream. Unfortunately, the half-life of VEGF is short and the large amount needed for efficacy is expensive. This motivated researchers from the Harbin Medical University in the Heilongjiang Province of China to develop a way to locally deliver the VEGF gene to the site of a ballon-injured artery.

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Conclusions on the magnetic bead coatings post series

The goal of the series of posts from the last weeks was to review the state-of-the-art of magnetic beads coatings. The contributors have reviewed the classical surfaces, but also the new approaches to improve and simplify the process. Last but not least, the physical aspects of the magnetic beads and the separation process were discussed, as they have a critical impact on the success of the coating process.

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Conjugating Quantum Dots to surface-functionalized magnetic microspheres

Researchers at the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis have improved upon a tool for detecting mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in human samples of deep-lung mucus. The tool combines magnetic, fluorescent, and immunologic sorting techniques to increase test sensitivity and portability. Tuberculosis-specific antibodies and proteins are conjugated to the surfaces of quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic microspheres (MMSs). In this functionalized state the quantum dots and microspheres can freely bind to the mycobacterium. At optimal concentrations, along with sufficient incubation time, the QDs and MMSs each serve as a slice of bread in a QD-MTP-MMS sandwich. The sample is magnetically sorted to collect the MMSs before quantifying the amount of QD fluorescence with a spectrofluorometer.

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Flexible Micro-Magnetic Elastomers Provide a Tunable Magnetic Interface

Bioengineers at the University of California, Los Angeles have developed a new technique for patterning magnetic material onto polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS), a flexible polymer known as an elastomer. The resulting product has promising biotechnical applications. Its flexibility allows it to conform to many different shapes, and its magnetic field can be tuned by the application of an external magnet.

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The 2 critical points of using biomagnetic separation for washing coated magnetic beads

Coating your magnetic beads with biomarkers is the most critical step during the development and production of Chemiluminescence Immunoassays (CLIA). Attaching the antibody (or any other protein) to the bead’s surface requires incubating both materials together, using the right buffer and temperature, gently mix and homogenize the suspension. Once the process is completed, it is necessary to separate the solid phase (the magnetic beads with the attached biomolecule) from the rest of the suspension and, once washed, re-suspend the reagent in a new buffer for avoid biomarker reaction and beads aggregation.

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Inverting Ferromagnetic Behavior to Direct Nanoparticles to Deep Tissue Targets

Although magnetic particles have proven exceedingly useful in nanotherapy protocols, applications making use of external magnets have been limited to surface or shallow targets. The ability to use external magnets to focus on deeper targets has remained a challenge. To this end, a collaboration between researchers from the University of Maryland and Weinberg Medical Physics LLC has devised a way to use pulsed magnetic fields to direct particles to hard-to-reach targets.

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Importance of physical properties of magnetic dispersions during protein coating

During protein (or other kind of molecules) coating onto magnetic particles, there are two main parameters that govern the success of the process: the physical and chemical properties of the protein itself and the magnetic particle dispersions. For this reason, the correct selection of these components is the key for an excellent coating. In this article the importance of physical properties of magnetic dispersions is discussed.

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Synthesis and Applications of Bi-Magnetic Core/Shell Nanoparticles

Core/shell nanoparticles offer an additional degree of flexibility to nanoparticle-based applications. Comprised of an inorganic core and one or more shell layers, such particles enable a wider range of physical properties than would be possible for each of the component materials taken separately. In the case of bi-magnetic core/shell nanoparticles, the constituent materials exhibit distinct magnetic properties, yielding an extra layer of customization to the particle, based on the exchange interaction between the components.

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Using Tosyl activated magnetic beads in chemiluminescent immunoassays

Magnetic beads are available with a large variety of surface coatings. One of the coatings are the Tosyl activated beads. This post is describing the handling and advantages of the use of Tosyl activated magnetic beads in chemiluminescent immunoassays.

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The 4 today’s surfaces for magnetic beads coating

The use of magnetic beads in IVD is not new. Recent developments –as the described in the next chapters- promise easier and better coating procedures where the orientation and the availability of the captured molecule can be controlled. However, most of the current applications are still using the classical surfaces.

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Janus Particles Induce Death in Cancer Cells

Magnetic nanoparticles have proven particularly effective in chemotherapeutics applications. By combining the physical and chemical properties of more than one component material, nanoparticles can be designed that contain multiple functionalities, thereby dramatically increasing therapeutic efficacy. Recently, a research group out of University College Dublin in Ireland developed nanoparticles with distinct outer segments. The researchers coupled the properties of each of the segments to yield particles capable of performing diagnostic and therapeutic operations, inducing targeted cell death through multiple mechanisms.

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Surface Attenuation for High Sensitivity Assays

Designing binding surfaces with optimal ligand (e.g. antibody, antigen or protein) functionality is required for ultra sensitive assays. However, classical solid phase chemistry approaches for conjugating or binding ligands to surfaces do not control the density or parking area of the ligand, nor do they provide control over ligand conformation and orientation.

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Rapid biofunctionalization of magnetic beads with function-spacer-lipid constructs

KODE™ Technology is based on novel water-dispersible self-assembling molecules, called a function-spacer-lipids or KODE™ constructs (Figure 1) that are able to coat virtually any biological or non-biological surface with almost any biological or non-biological material [1-10]. The primary coating method of live cells, organisms, bacteria and viruses or solid surfaces (glass, metals, plastics, etc.) is achieved by simple contact with a solution containing one or more FSL KODE™ constructs. Upon contact the FSLs spontaneously and harmlessly create a stable and novel surface coating. Essentially the spontaneous self-assembling process is driven by the need of the constructs to “exclude water”. Because the constructs are able to bind to virtually any surface, be it hydrophobic or hydrophilic the mechanisms of action are multiple and complex and include hydrophobic interactions (via lipid tail), hydrophilic interactions (via the head group and spacer), micelle entrapment, encapsulation, bi/multi layer assembly, and other factors such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, electrostatic and ionic interactions and combinations of all the above on complex surfaces.

Download the guide: Magnetic bead coatings: Today and Tomorrow

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Magnetic bead coatings: Today and tomorrow

Bio-functionalized magnetic beads are widely used for capturing specific molecules or cells thanks to their super-paramagnetic properties. They are typically used for two main purposes in the Biotech field. They act as the solid phase for both separation processes such as purification of proteins/molecules and for in vitro diagnostics (IVD) reagents.

Free guide: Magnetic bead coatings: Today and Tomorrow
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How are magnetic cell sorting protocols designed?

During the last weeks we have reviewed several aspects of biomagnetic cell sorting, a process which facilitates the quick and targeted removal of specific cells from a heterogeneous solution. Cell sorting is essential for a number of purposes, from technological to investigative and biomedical. By harnessing the properties of magnetic beads, biomagnetic separation (BMS) allows cells to be isolated for additional downstream applications, without adversely affecting their form or function.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Applying a Magnetic Field for Cell Sorting Processes

Use of magnetic beads provides an efficient and innovative method of harnessing magnetic separation processes to non-magnetic, cellular targets of biological origin. When beads are attached, the ensemble of the cells and beads becomes a magnetizable object.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"

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How does magnetic activated cell sorting work?

Coated magnetic beads are capable of interacting with and binding to a corresponding target within a sample. Binding specific biomarkers to the surface functional group present on the bead (e.g., streptavidin) ensures that the interaction is limited to specific cells. Recovery of material for further studies is greatly simplified when beads are concentrated from suspension, by means of an external magnet.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Hydroxyapatite-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Removal of Nitrogen Species

Nitrite and nitrate pollutants in soil and water pose significant health risks. The presence of these pollutants in drinking water can have serious consequences, including cancer, methemoglobinemia, and blue baby syndrome in newborns. Removal of these contaminants is essential to the maintenance of environmental and human health. Developing efficient strategies for removal, however, has proved challenging.

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Article by Sepmag Founder Underlines the Importance of Understanding Biomagnetic Separation Parameters

An article by Sepmag founder and CSO, Dr. Lluis M. Martinez, appears online this week in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. The article addresses issues thatariseduring a biomagnetic separation application and offers critical suggestions for approaching a process. Of particular importance is an understanding of the inherent parameters of a separation.

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Magnetic Nanoparticles Utilized to Stimulate Bone Growth

Mechanical stimulation is an important aspect of bone metabolism and regeneration. A number of studies have highlighted the importance of mechanotransduction pathways in osteogenic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation.Providing a mechanical stimulus can have a significant role in the outcome of regenerative treatments.

Applying a mechanical load to damaged bone, however, is not always feasible. A recent study published in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”describes a novel procedure forsuch cases. The protocol makes use of superparamagnetic nanoparticles to remotely induce mechanotransduction.

Using magnetic nanoparticles to activate mechanotransduction pathways

By targeting magnetic nanoparticles to cell-surface mechanosensors, researchers sought to deliver a stimulus to directly activate mechanotransduction pathways. Magnetic nanoparticles were labeled with either Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) tripeptide or TREK1-Ab, targeting particles to mechanically gated receptors, i.e., integrin RGD-binding domains and TREK1 stretch-activated ion channels, respectively.

An oscillating magnetic field was applied, yielding a force of 4 pN per nanoparticle. Bound nanoparticles transferred the force generated by the external magnetic field to the stem cells via the receptors or ion channels to which they were attached, thus inducing mechanotransduction pathways. The result was propagation of the stimulus without the associated application of mechanical stress.

Stimulating bone growth

Researchers demonstratedthe principles oftheir technique in vitro utilizing chicken fetal femurs and collagen hydrogels. MSCs labeled with magnetic nanoparticles were delivered to the femur by microinjection. MSCs receiving mechanical stimuli via bound nanoparticles showed increased bone formation in comparison withunlabeled MSCs. Similarly, collagen hydrogels seeded with nanoparticle-labeled cells displayed increases in both volume and density, and significantly more mineralization than hydrogels seeded with unlabeled cells.

Combining mechanotransduction with the sustained release of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) delivered by bioresorbable polymer microparticles resulted in an even greater increase in bone formation than that observed with either nanoparticle-mediated mechanotransduction or BMP2 alone. The microparticles, measuring 10–40 μm in diameter, were engineered to release BMP2 in controlled bursts over a number of days.The resulting synergistic effect underlines the potential for the procedure when combined with existing pharmacological therapies and other strategies for bone regeneration.

Researchers point out the range of possible MSC targets, both intra and extracellular, and thepotential for controlling the applied stimulus by altering the magnetic field strength or the number and size of the magnetic particles. Future avenues of study will include investigating the result of stimulating additional mechanoreceptors, either alone or in combination with the sustained release of growth factors.

A full report of the study can be accessed online in the Stem Cells Translational Medicine site.

Related news:

FREE Download: Basic guide to magnetic bead cell separation

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Methods of Magnetic Cell-Sorting

Magnetic activated cell sorting has demonstrated extreme utility for isolating virtually all cell types from complex biomedical samples and cultured cells. Antigens (cell-surface proteins) provide the extracellular characteristics for enriching heterogeneous cell-mixtures typical of magnetic cell sorting. Attachment of target-specific antibodies to beads' surfaces generates sorting, securing intact cells to allow isolation within a complex liquid suspension.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Magnetic activated cell sorting for whole blood cell separation

Cell sorting is widely used in research and clinical therapy. The latest advances in stem cell therapy, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine show the potential of cells derived from different tissues. Sorting cells from a heterogeneous population enables the study of the different isolated types, but also allows for the introduction of enriched cell populations to a patient. The use of highly selective separation procedures is also critical to improve cell-based treatments on stem cell therapy, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Microbeads/Nanoparticles for Cell Sorting

Magnetic nanoparticles form the basis for capturing and separating molecules from a sample solution. The particles act as carriers, sequestering target molecules via attachment sites present on their surface, and shuttling them in the direction of an induced magnetic force. The attachment sites are customizable, endowing the particles with specificity and allowing them to be effective for a wide range of applications ranging from investigative to technological and biomedical.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Where to see SEPMAG at MEDICA 2014?

MEDICA is here! Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend this year as our senior technical-sales team is engaged with large projects overseas this quarter (Bryan in North America and Lluis in Japan). But don’t worry!If you want to see SEPMAG, our advanced biomagnetic systems will be available at different stands, displayed by manufacturers who will be utilizing it to demonstrate the performance of their magnetic beads.

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Using Magnetic Nanoparticles to Localize Heat-Inducible Gene Expression

A recent study published in “ACS Synthetic Biology” utilizes magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate gene therapy in tumor cells. The approach combines two effective cancer treatments – hyperthermia and gene therapy – to develop a remotely controlled magnetic switch capable of inducing gene expression. The result is significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

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New Sepmag (free) eBooks page

As part of their effort to disseminate knowledge on biomagnetic separation, SEPMAG publishes eBooks and documents about the subject. Prepared by internal and external experts, these materials are available for free to the scientific and industrial Life Science community.

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The Character and Quality of Magnetic Bead Cell Separation Processes

Cell separation improves understanding of cell function, generating discoveries for improved medical practice and research. Yet, experimental procedures for removing cells from their natural environment can adversely affect their function and expressed physical traits - morphology, or biochemical/physiological properties. Thus, separation processes appropriate to the biomedical or related task at hand are required to assure optimum process efficacy. Magnetic bead cell separation efficiently utilizes the principle of the attractive power of magnetic force on selected particles in liquid solution.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Google Announces Magnetic Nanoparticles for Individual Baseline Monitoring

Earlier last week, Google revealed details regarding its most recent biomedical technology project: magnetic nanoparticles capable of providing advanced warning of impending disease. The announcement was made by Andrew Conrad, a member of Google’s special projects division, Google X. Conrad, who heads Google X’s Life Science team, reported that the company is developing nanoparticles capable of monitoring an individual for early signs of impairment, such as cancer, heart attack, and stroke.

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Incorporating Magnetic Nanoparticles into Biocomputing Structures

Biomolecules circulating within an organism can be likened to a data stream, providing valuable information that can be accessed to identify disease states and processes such as inflammation. Recent studies have focused on developing autonomous devices for this purpose, incorporating biologically derived molecules such as DNA into computing structures capable of analyzing biomolecular input and carrying out logic-gated functions such as cellular analysis and molecule delivery. Magnetic nanoparticles possess inherent properties that make them well suited for such applications.

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Magnetic Beads Used for Biomedical Applications

Magnetic beads demonstrate many biomedical applications for treatment and research. Their number and range is increasing as understanding and adaptation of the technology for medical purposes grows.

Free PDF guide:  "Basic guide to Magnetic Bead Cell Separation"
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Magnetic Nanoparticles Play a Critical Role in Aging-Related Therapeutics

As improved public health standards increase our average life expectancy, the occurrence of diseases associated with the aging process also becomes more prevalent. Thus, an understanding of the onset and progress of such afflictions becomes essential. A number of studies have revealed that changes in the brain associated with aging-related maladies such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, sclerosis, and dementias can potentially be reversed through stem cell-based therapies. Obtaining consistent data regarding stem cell survival and distribution, however, has remained challenging. To address this issue, studies have employed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to label stem cells, enhancing in vivo imaging and facilitating stem cell tracking.

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Magnetic Actuator Enhances Sensitivity of Magnetic Bead-Based Chip Assay

Magnetic beads possess many properties that make them well-suited for use in enzyme-linked assays, including a high surface-to-volume ratio, wide range of surface functionalization, and ease of manipulation. Magnetic beads have previously been employed in “lab-on-a-chip” bioassays, where their size lends to increased ease of automation. Their handling in such systems, however, has been sub-optimal, often necessitating complex actuator systems.

To address this issue, a group of researchers in Barcelona, Spain have developed a simple actuator capable of significantly improving the efficiency of magnetic bead-based integrated assays. Employed in tandem with a microfluidic device consisting of reaction and detection chambers, the actuator showed a 2.7-fold enhancement in bioassay sensitivity.

A rotating magnetic actuator

The design of the actuator resembles that of a compact disc, and features a rotating structure with slots for embedded magnets. The arrangement of the magnets is eccentric to the axis of rotation. The aforementioned microfluidic device rests above the actuator, such that rotation causes the magnets to pass under the reaction chamber. The sequential movement of the magnets induces the magnetic beads to move from one extreme of the chamber to the other, in accordance with the position of the magnet. This movement allows the entire surface area of the beads to come in contact with the substrate.

For the initial purposes of development, the actuator was utilized in the second of two steps that comprised an enzyme-linked fluorescence immunoassay. Researchers note, however, that integration of all the steps is the ultimate goal, and will be addressed in the future.

Putting the actuator to the test

To test the actuator, investigators injected an immunocomplex consisting of commercially obtained anti-E. coli O157 magnetic beads, previously incubated with E. coli and phosphatase-labeled anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibody, into a microfluidic chip. 4-Methylumbelliferyl phosphate (4-MUP) was added, and mixing induced by rotation of the actuator. Following the reaction, the immunocomplex was magnetically retained, while the solution containing dephosphorylated 4-MUP (i.e., 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU)) flowed into the detection chamber for optical fluorescence measurement. 

The resulting enhancement was significant. A 2.7-fold increase in sensitivity was seen over control reactions without actuation. The assay’s limit of detection also improved. An LOD of 603 CFU/mL was obtained at optimal actuation speed, in comparison to an LOD of 2,101 CFU/mL without actuation.

The implications for future magnetic bead-based applications and bioassays are promising. The actuator is simple in design, consisting of a compact disc-sized rotating unit and a DC motor, and lends itself to portability. Its circular shape makes it possible to carry out a number of reactions in parallel. What’s more, the magnetic beads utilized in the study were obtained commercially, and a wide range of antibody surface functionalizations are available. Researchers expect that assay sensitivity will be enhanced even further by achieving integration of all of the reactions on-chip.

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The Potential of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Environmental Applications

The safety and effectiveness of employing magnetic nanoparticles in environmental applications has been the subject of a number of recent studies. Subsequent findings have highlighted the advantages of utilizing nanoparticles for protocols such as wastewater treatment and contaminant removal. At the same time, researchers have underlined the need for comprehensive testing in order to minimize the possibility of toxicological effects and ensure biocompatibility.

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Merck KGaA to Acquire Sigma-Aldrich

At a press conference earlier last week in Germany, Merck KGaA announced an agreement to buy Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion. The transaction has been approved unanimously by the executive boards of both Sigma-Aldrich and Merck KGaA, and is now pending a special vote by Sigma-Aldrich shareholders. The deal is expected to be completed sometime in mid-2015.

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Japanese Association of Clinical Laboratory Systems EXPO 2014

More than 8,000 participants are expected to attend theJapanese Association of Clinical Laboratory Systems (JACLaS) Expo taking place on October 9-11, 2014. The event will be held at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall located in Kobe City, Japan. The JACLaS Expo is the largest exhibition of its kind in Japan, granting attendees access to some of the latest developments in diagnostic instruments and reagents.

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Control Your Quality: Real-Time Biomagnetic Separation Process Monitoring

Quality Control is one of the key issues at IVD-kits manufacturing. To assure the lot-to-lot consistency is critical to have consistent results when the reagents are used in the analyzers. To decide where to place the quality Control points is one of the more critical decisions, with large repercussion in the kits manufacturing costs. A single control point at the end of the process implies that a ‘no-pass’ result would force the whole batch to discard, wasting all the time and resources invested on it. Having too many QC along the different process steps would greatly increase the costs, as tests usually involve intensive labor and/or expensive analysis techniques.

For CLIA IVD-kits manufacturing (or any products involving magnetic beads), we can take advantage of the biomagnetic separation process itself to check the magnetic beads behavior. As usually there are many separation steps (several washing before and after each conjugation), having them optically monitored provide inexpensive QC points along the whole process.

If you want to know everything about monitoring biomagnetic separation processes in real time, download our free guide about this topic:

FREE Download: Real-time monitoring of biomagnetic separation

The dynamics of the magnetic beads are very different when the beads are well re-suspended and when clumps are formed. Basically, if you have clumps, the magnetic separation is equivalent to having beads of larger diameter and the process is faster. Unfortunately, the usual SOP (Standard Operation Procedures) only checks visually if the separation is complete at the defined separation time. Even if the clumps accelerate the separation time,it would be impossible to detect by eye-sight at the final specified time, as both suspensions would be crystal clear.

Taking advantage of advanced biomagnetic separation

By recording the transmitted light across the vessel, we can monitor the transparency changes during the separation process, showing the described sigmoidal-like behavior. As shown in the figure (real case), using the same suspension in the same SEPMAG® Q1L, the time is reduced by almost a 30% when beads have become aggregated due to a bad storage protocol.

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Magnetic targeting increases efficiency of myocardial stem cell retention

Cardiovascular disease remains a prevalent problem in the U.S., resulting in death as well as disability. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach to treating ischemic cardiomyopathy, but its success has been limited by a low rate of stem cell retention and engraftment due to “wash out” of the cells by blood flow and perpetual muscular contraction. To overcome this problem, investigators at North Carolina State University attached stem cells to magnetic nanoparticles and utilized magnetic targeting to increase the efficiency of cell retention in the heart.

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How to check if magnetic beads clumps are formed during Biomagnetic separation processes?

When manufacturing CLIA IVD-kits, one of the main problems during the successive steps (coating, washing...) is the formation of irreversible aggregates, usually due to the excessive magnetic retention force during the separation process. If the magnetic beads are not well re-suspended, clumps are formed and not all the surface is exposed. This leads to inhomogeneity in the coating if the problem appears in earlier manufacturing steps or in larger variability on the reagent reactivity if it happens in the latest. Clumps are also a big problem in magnetic beads analytical uses, as protein purification for screening, or any other application where the final product need to be aliquot in small volumes.

FREE Download: Real-time monitoring of biomagnetic separation

As discussed in previous eBooks, the first action should always be minimizing the risk of irreversible aggregation by using the right magnetic retention force. To avoid trade-offs between losses (or long separation time) and clumps formation, homogenous biomagnetic separation conditions is the best options, as it will increase the force far from the retention area –thus accelerating separation- without need of excessively high values at it.

However, even if the problem is theoretically eliminated by using advanced Biomagnetic separation systems, the existence or not of ‘clumps’ should be experimentally verified. The classical way is to check the RLU (Relative Luminescence Units) variability of the test after finishing all the manufacturing steps. The already discussed alternative (or complementary) way is to monitor each biomagnetic separation step by itself.

If you want to know everything about monitoring biomagnetic separation processes in real time, download our free guide about this topic:

Validation of re-suspension protocols with monitoring tools

The biomagnetic separation monitoring tools can been used to validate re-suspension protocols.One example is the experiment we did to show that small diameter Anti-mouse IgG magnetic beads can be used with SEPMAG® Biomagnetic Separation Systems without the need of any sonication step. Avoiding the use of ultrasound iskeyto simplify the scaling up of the process beyond the milliliters volume.

To check if the protocol generates clumps, the same suspension was separated, then re-suspended just by agitation, and then separated again, up to a total of 10 separation/suspension cycles.The SEPMAG® had a carefully chosen homogenous magnetic force which makes the separation fast, andsimultaneously claims that the value is gentle enough to avoid clump formation. The recorded optical curve does not show changes. The monitoring process demonstrated the feasibility of the re-suspension protocol without the sonication method for this magnetic beads and magnetic separation rack.


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Tumor-specific gene delivery mediated by magnetic nanoparticles

Gene therapy has shown promise in a number of cancer treatment studies. However, certain drawbacks such as uncontrolled gene delivery and random gene integration have limited its potential use in the clinical setting. By utilizing magnetic nanoparticles as vehicles for genetic delivery, researchers in China have succeeded in overcoming several obstacles associated with gene therapy and increased the efficacy of treatment for hepatic cellular carcinoma (HCC).

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Optical monitoring of Biomagnetic Separation: how to parameterize the process

Validation is a mandatory requirement at IVD-kits manufacturing. The lot-to-lot consistency is critical to assure consistent results when the reagents are used in the analyzers. The key to have an efficient and cost-effective QC protocol would be having the right number of test points, and whatever possible, use existing techniques not requiring intensive use of manpower.

FREE Download: Real-time monitoring of biomagnetic separation

Advanced Biomagnetic Separation systems have recently incorporated monitoring systems to record the suspension transparency changes. By recording the transmitted light across the vessel, we can monitor the transparency changes during the whole separation process. The resultant curves give a quantitative value of the transparency at the end of the process, and also show how it changes since the vessel is introduced in the magnetic separation rack.

Any change of the properties of the magnetic beads (diameter, magnetic charge), the buffer (viscosity, ionicity, beads concentration) would affect the separation behavior. Any deviation from the expected curve can be used as an alarm. It would allow stopping the batch before incurring in additional costs and/or make the corrective actions when possible.

If you want to know everything about monitoring biomagnetic separation processes in real time, download our free guide about this topic:

The importance of having well-defined conditions

If the Biomagnetic Separation System has well-defined conditions (i.e. homogenous force), the recorded curves will not only indicate that something is wrong, but also help identify the specific problem. When using a constant magnetic force in all the working volumes, the opacity versus time curve typically hasa sigmoidal shape. The curve can be parameterized just by the two values that define this curve: the exponent p and the time t50.The first reflects the ‘steepness’ of the curve and the second reflects the time it takes to reach 50% of the difference between the maximum and minimal opacity. These two parameters change on a different way depending on what different magnetic bead (diameter, % magnetic content, magnetic material) or the suspension (buffer viscosity, beads concentration, ionicity) characteristics vary.


On a typical example, the changes in the concentration would affect the curves modifying both the exponent p and the t50. The biomagnetic separation is a cooperative behavior where the beads interact between them through magnetic dipolar interaction (overcoming the thermal agitation). The higher the concentration the nearer the magnetic beads would be to the nearest neighbor. As a consequence, diluting the sample slows down the separation. This behavior is reflected in the transparency changes by a lower is p (the curve is less ‘stepper’) and a higher t50 (slower separation) for diluted samples when compared with the original suspension. 

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Conductive nanocomposite particles serve as electrochemical biosensors

Oxidative stress has been reported to be a significant aspect in the development of several pathologies, including atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. In addition to being the byproduct of a number of oxidases found in biological systems, hydrogen peroxide can be utilized as an effective indicator of oxidative stress. As such, several methods have been developed to detect its presence.

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Real-Time Process Monitoring for Biomagnetic Separation

The validation of each single production batch is a mandatory requirement at IVD-kits manufacturing. The lot-to-lot consistency is critical to assure consistent results when the reagents are used in the analyzers.

FREE Download: Real-time monitoring of biomagnetic separation

Since many steps are involved in the production process, the placement of Quality Control points is one of the more critical decisions, with large repercussion in the kits manufacturing costs. A single control point at the end of the process may seem cheap, but it implies that a no-pass result would force the whole batch to discard, wasting all the time and resources invested on it. The other solution, having many QC along the different process steps would greatly increase the costs, as tests usually involve intensive labor and/or expensive analysis techniques. The key to have an efficient and cost effective QC protocol would be having the right number of test points, and whatever possible, use existing techniques not requiring intensive use of manpower.

For CLIA IVD-kits manufacturing (or any products involving magnetic beads), we can take advantage of the biomagnetic separation process itself to check the magnetic beads behavior. As usually there aremany separation steps (several washing before and after each conjugation),havingthem monitored provide inexpensive QC points along the whole process.

If you want to know everything about monitoring biomagnetic separation processes in real time, download our free guide about this topic:

To do it, however, we should update the way that Biomagnetic separation steps are usually validated. In many cases, these processes are validated solely by separation time. The technician checks by eye-sight the transparency of the suspension after the defined separation times, and if he/she found it OK, signs the form. No information about how the process has run is recorded. This single end-of time point control limits the possibility of audits if problems are detected in later steps.


To address this issue, Advanced Biomagnetic Separation systems have recently incorporated monitoring systems to record the suspension transparency changes. By recording the transmitted light across the vessel, we can monitor the transparency changes during the whole separation process. The resultant curves give a quantitativevalue of the transparency at the end of the process, and also show how it changes since the vessel is introduced in the magnetic separation rack. Properly recorded, these graphs would allow comparing the successive batches, and generating references curves.


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An antigen presenting nanoplatform for expanding T cell populations

Immunotherapy requires the manufacture and expansion of an activated T cell population. Adoptive cell transfer therapy is a promising method, utilizing a patient’s own cells and expanding them in vitro before re-introduction. Activation of T cells requires antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells, which are capable of interacting with and stimulating the T cells. Obtaining these cells can be costly and time-consuming. As such, researchers at Yale University have come up with a way to present antigen fragments to T cells using a combination of carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanoparticles.

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Mistake #5 in CLIA IVD-kit manufacturing: Inappropriate safety precautions when working with magnetic fields

The first four mistakes we described in the last weeks are related to the production process of CLIA IVD-kits. However, even if you get a perfect reproducible, high performant process, it is a last mistake you should avoid. We have frequently see IVD-manufacturers to adopt solutions implying high safety risk for the operators and the equipment.

FREE Download: Five critical mistakes in CLIA IVD-kits manufacturing
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Magnetic nanoparticles used to study hearing loss

Researchers have developed a way to utilize magnetic nanoparticles to study and potentially treat hearing loss. Unlike traditional methods employing glass pipettes or similar probes, the nanoparticles developed as part of the most recent study do not impose a mechanical load on cells. Additionally, the particles greatly enhance temporal and mechanical resolution, and address a number of issues associated with studying mechanotransduction in a biological system.

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Mistake #4 in CLIA IVD-kit manufacturing: Neglecting process scalability

When developing a CLIA IVD-kit, the initial focus is on the biomarker and how to coat the magnetic beads. Biomagnetic separation conditions usually get swept to one side.

FREE Download: Five critical mistakes in CLIA IVD-kits manufacturing
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The ongoing proliferation of nanotechnology research

Nanotechnology is an emerging field that has grown significantly in the recent past. The last decade has seen a proliferation of research in the nanoscience arena. According to a SciFinder search carried out in 2014 by magneticmicrosphere.com, the number of articles dealing with nanoparticles nearly doubled in 1999, then doubled again eight years later. In China, the number of articles relating to nanoscience and nanotechnology in 2010 exceeded those relating to broader subjects such as materials science, engineering, and physics [1]. This is indicative of the increased funding being directed toward projects related to nanoparticles and/or microspheres.

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Mistake #3 in CLIA IVD kit manufacturing: Defining the process based purely on the separation time

Not all mistakes made in CLIA-IVD kit manufacturing involve the magnetic rack itself. Besides the two mistakes we reviewed during the last weeks, the third mistake we have detected involves process validation. Biomagnetic separation processes are often validated solely by specifying a separation time.

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Self-assembling magnetic nanoparticles

In a recent study published in “Angewandte Chemie,” researchers report the development of iron oxide nanoparticles capable of self-assembling when placed in a tumor environment. Self-assembly into larger aggregates significantly improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cancer cells. The research, carried out by a team of scientists at the Imperial College London, has significant implications for the early detection and treatment of cancer.

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Photothermal delivery assisted by crystalline magnetic carbon nanoparticles

A team of physicists at the University of Texas (UT) recently reported success coupling continuous wave near-infrared laser beams with crystalline magnetic carbon nanoparticles to introduce therapeutic agents into cancer cells. The study, which appears in “Nature Scientific Reports,” introduces an alternate and viable approach to cell targeting and drug delivery methods.

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Mistake #1 in CLIA IVD-kit manufacturing: Blaming the magnetic beads

Product development is a time-consuming, expensive process for CLIA-IVD kit manufacturers. There are several steps involved: 

  • Selecting the biomarker
  • Choosing the right coupling 
  • Selecting the right magnetic bead 

You are well versed with the first two points but what is “the right bead”? Assuming you have the right biomarker and a perfect coupling, the ideal magnetic bead should have the following properties:

  • High recovery/fast separation, compatible with the timing of the analyzer step. It needs to be fast enough during large-scale production processes without high bead and coupled biomarker losses.
  • No aggregation problems. Beads should be easy to re-suspend. It makes no sense to separate quickly if several additional sonication steps are required, which are difficult processes to control/implement in large volumes.
  • Low kit-to-kit variability. Batch aliquots (typically less than a milliliter) of production batches (liters scale) must be consistent. If not, variability causes problems when interpreting the results in the analyzer.

 

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How can we specify a Biomagnetic Separation Process?

When a new CLIA-IVD kit is transferred from R&D to production, all the manufacturing protocols should be adapted to the new throughput and volume. Biomarker specifications, buffers and coating protocols would benefit from the cumulated experience in non-magnetic kits. Coupling an antibody to magnetic beads is quite similar to doing it in colloidal gold or latex particles. But the washing protocols using Biomagnetic Separation are something new. The use of classical (and dirty) centrifugation method makes not so much sense when we can use the magnetic properties of the beads. Similar reasoning applies to the use lateral flow filtration or other complex and time-consuming non-magnetic separation techniques.

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Nanoparticles and nanocarriers have a synergistic effect on drug-resistant tumors

The principle behind quadrapeutics involves four existing clinical treatments: radiotherapy, low-energy laser pulses, targeted drug delivery, and colloidal gold nanoparticles. The protocol was developed to treat chemoradiation-resistant tumors. Preclinical studies, led by Dmitri Lapotko at Rice University in Texas, recently showed a 17-fold improvement in treating aggressive, drug-resistant cancer in vivo. What’s more, the procedure specifically targeted cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

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2014 AACC Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo

The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) will be holding its annual meeting this year on July 27 – July 31. The meeting will take place at McCormick Place, located on Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. Over 20,000 laboratory medicine professionals are expected to attend, taking part in the main conference as well as the Clinical Lab Expo. Participants will include scientists and clinicians interested in the fields of clinical chemistry and the clinical laboratory sciences.

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Plasmonic nanoparticles enhance visualization of cellular internalization

In order to efficiently utilize nanoparticles in imaging and diagnostic applications, it is critical to distinguish particles that have been internalized by their cellular target from those that have not. The ability to differentiate between the two is essential for quantification and visualization, as well as determining the efficiency of drug delivery protocols. 

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2014 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Annual Convention

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) will host its annual convention on June 23-36 in San Diego, California this year. The BIO International Convention is the largest biotechnology event of its kind, drawing thousands of attendees. Participants will be able to choose from hundreds of sessions regarding trends in biotechnology, policy, and innovations, as well as being granted access to the world’s largest biotechnology exhibition.

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International Forum Nanobeads Technology Advances for IVD (2/2)

Last May I was in Shanghai, invited by Merck Millipore to contribute to the Forum they organized. SEPMAG was one of the sponsors and I was one of the speakers. In a previous post I have reviewed the talks about new trends on immunomagnetic assays, coupling of biomarkers and the use of Biomagnetic Separation in CLIA IVD-kits Manufacture.

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Personalized Protein Corona

When a nanoparticle is introduced into a physical medium such as human plasma, its surface becomes coated by a layer of proteins, yielding a protein corona whose composition greatly influences the way the nanoparticle interacts with tissues and cells, as well as its ultimate biological fate. Different factors, including protein concentration, post-translational modifications, structure, and solubility, all play a role in determining the corona’s make-up. Any circumstance that impacts these factors, such as disease or genetic background, is therefore also likely to impact the composition of the protein corona.

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How advanced biomagnetic separation systems solve most of your cell sorting problems

Sorting cells from a heterogeneous population enables the study of the different isolated types, but also allows for the introduction of enriched cell populations to a patient. The use of highly selective separation procedures is also critical to improve cell-based treatments on stem cell therapy, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Free PDF guide:  "Magnetic Separation Racks for Cell Sorting"
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Latest issue of “Nature” reveals first drafts of the Human Proteome

Two draft maps of the human proteome have been published in the latest issue of Nature. The drafts were produced by two separate international research teams working independently of one another. Using mass-spectrometry to analyze tissue, body fluids, and cells, the teams have catalogued the proteins that are found in a non-diseased state and identified novel proteins expressed from what was previously thought to be non-coding or junk DNA.

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3 problems when using classical magnetic separation rack in cell sorting

Biomagnetic cell separation is an alternative to centrifugation, columns, filtration and precipitation. It eliminates undue cell-stress and reduces the risk of negative impact on cell function and phenotype.

Free PDF guide:  "Magnetic Separation Racks for Cell Sorting"
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International Forum Nanobeads Technology Advances for IVD (1/2)

A few days ago I was invited by Merck Millipore to contribute to the Forum they organized in Shanghai. Besides being one of the speakers –more details below-, SEPMAG has also been involved as sponsor. We believed the direct contact with IVD-magnetic beads users in China, as well as with the technical worldwide contributors, is the only way to still push forward this technology.

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Recombinant protein purification from insect-derived crude extracts using magnetic beads

The business value of potentially large production capacities coupled to lower capital expenditures (CapEx) requirements and manufacturing costs may reduce the gap between production volumes and patient needs for potentially life-saving drugs. This is the reason because pharmaceutical companies are continuously seeking for new technologies. An economically efficient alternative to bioreactor-based technologies is the use of living biofactories such as transgenic animals, plants or insects.

Free PDF Download:   "The Advanced Guide to Biomagnetic Protein Purification" 
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Nanoparticles can target the delivery of nerve blocking agents

Devising a safe and efficient protocol for using magnetic nanoparticles to target drug delivery is an ongoing challenge whose study has yielded promising results. While the majority of these studies have been focused on delivering cytotoxic drugs to cancer cells, there is a range of possible applications for which targeted delivery could prove invaluable.

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Magnetic bead-enabled one-step lysis and recombinant protein purification

A need for rapid, reproducible, small-scale purification

For many recombinant protein applications, such as expression clone screening and for optimizing expression conditions, there is a crucial need for a rapid, reproducible, small-scale purification process. Traditionally, protein purification from E. coli consists of four distinct phases: harvest, bacterial cell lysis, lysate clarification and protein purification. You will find the whole process explained step by step in our protein purification handbook.

Free PDF Download:   "The Advanced Guide to Biomagnetic Protein Purification" 
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Magnetic Nanoparticles Trigger Tumor Cells to Self-Destruct

The necessity of finding a safer and more efficient way to treat cancer has led investigators to naturally turn their attention toward nanoparticles. Recently, a group of researchers in Sweden has come up with a novel system of utilizing magnetic particles to trigger apoptosis, thus resulting in the self-destruction of tumor cells. The findings, published in the journal ACS Nano, signify a promising approach to cancer treatment, with implications extending beyond oncology and encompassing a range of clinical applications.

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Biocompatible Nanoparticles Synthesized Using a Novel Single-Step Process

Investigators at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan have developed a protocol for manufacturing biocompatible hybrid nanoparticles. The resulting particles have magnetic as well as optical properties. They are suitable for clinical use and can be customized for utilization in a wide range of applications.

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Advanced Biomagnetic Separation Systems to Enable Protein Immunomagnetic Purification

The search for alternatives to chromatographic resins is not new. With the continuous increase in expression levels in recombinant protein purification, columns are struggling with crude lysates. The need to clarify suspensions containing high levels of expressed protein for post-purification re-concentration no longer appears to be the most efficient strategy. You will find much more information about this topic in our protein purification handbook.

Free PDF Download:   "The Advanced Guide to Biomagnetic Protein Purification" 
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10th International Conference on the Scientific and Clinical Applications of Magnetic Carriers

Approximately 400 participants will gather in Dresden, Germany, for the 10th International Conference on the Scientific and Clinical Applications of Magnetic Carriers, to be held on June 10, 2014. The conference, hosted by the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the Technical University of Dresden, will run for five days and cover a range of topics related to magnetic carrier technology.

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Multi-functional Nanoparticles for Protein Purification

Nanoparticles incorporating different functions are useful and necessary products for assays, drug delivery, and other life science applications. For example, magnetic nanoparticles can be used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to dissipate energy under an oscillating field to locally raise temperature (hyperthermia), or to improve manufacturing of complex nanoparticles via use of magnetic separation. One or more different antibodies and/or fluorescence, luminescence agents as well as other functionalities such as catalytic or enzymatic groups can be attached to nanoparticles.  

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Effect of Particle Size Distribution of Magnetic Particles in Protein Purification Processes

In order to ensure the success of a protocol, it is essential to have a clear and unbiased knowledge base and a reliable source of reference material. When trying to decide the best platform or application to use for a process, it is critical to ensure that the information on which the decision will be based is generic and factual, and not propagated as promotional data.

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Transferring magnetic bead coating from R&D to Production

The key issue when transferring a bead coating process from the Research and Development department to the manufacturing department is scalability. It is essential to ensure that the system being utilized for a particular protocol is adaptable to larger volumes. Ideally, any scale-up would be carried out with the use of a homogeneous biomagnetic separator, as this would ensure that the conditions of the protocol are well-defined and able to be reproduced for a larger volume.

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Novel Hyper-porous Polymer Magnetic Beads as High-capacity/Fast separation alternative

Magnetic beads have several advantages over alternate non-magnetic bead technologies, and are thus finding increasing application in all areas of life-sciences research and development including drug discovery, biomedicine, bioassay development, diagnostics, genomics and proteomics.

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The 3 most important considerations in designing magnetic particles

It is well known that most recombinant protein purifications are mainly done through different types of chromatography, explained in our protein purification handbook. However, the use of magnetic particles is a very interesting alternative to these techniques, providing great advantages and simplifying the process in many aspects. The necessary equipment for purification with magnetic particles is simple: we need a magnet or any device capable of creating a magnetic field, and the particles themselves.

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105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. See you in San Diego?

Next week, 18,000 scientists and other cancer professionals from around the world are projected to move to 2014 AACR Annual Meeting, in San Diego. Attendees are laboratory scientists and clinical investigators specializing in all aspects of cancer research, including experimental therapeutics, molecular targeted therapies, chemistry, molecular biology and genetics, immunology and immunotherapy, tumor biology, virology, toxicology, prevention, and clinical and translational research.

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Scaling up magnetic bead coating protocols

Once a protocol for coating beads is developed and put in place, it will need to be scaled up in order to meet demand. Scaling up a process, however, requires careful attention to ensure that the details of the protocol are replicated for larger volumes.

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