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Posted on Tue, Mar 26, 2013

Biomagnetic Separation: Ensuring Complete Consistency From Lot to Lot

Consistent lot-to-lot results are achieved with biomagnetic technology only when magnetic bead separation is performed in defined and homogeneous conditions. When homogeneity is realized, separation is reproducible and scalable.

Sepmag systems allow homogeneous magnetic bead separation

This post is about magnetic bead separation and how to validate this process. If you are interested in this topic, and are willing to learn more about it, download our Free Guide The Starting Guide to Validate Biomagnetic Separation Processes:

Free PDF guide:   "Validation of Magnetic Bead Separation Processes" 

The problem of traditional magnetic bead separation

Under traditional magnetic bead separation conditions, beads do not experience homogenous conditions. Beads close to the magnets experience b magnetic forces for a long period of time leading to aggregation of the beads. This aggregation is sometimes irreversible, causing a loss of bead activity and an inability to resuspend the material. All of these problems cause problematic inconsistencies from lot to lot.

Beads that are far from the magnets experience weak or variable magnetic forces. Weak forces do not allow separation of the beads, causing a loss of material. The beads move toward the magnets slowly, under the auspices of the variable magnetic forces, causing the properties of the magnetic beads to be affected. The normal desire is to increase the separation time in order to pull the distant beads into the retention zone.

However, increasing the time would also expose the beads near the magnets for a longer time. This ultimately increases the aggregation of the beads.  There does not seem to be a good solution for a high yield using traditional separation techniques.

How do advanced systems solve the problems of traditional separators?

The latest breakthrough developments in biomagnetic separation techniques consist of separators that create a homogeneous and well-defined magnetic force independent of distance from the magnets. With the Sepmag systems, every bead receives the exact same magnetic force. This results in highly reproducible product from lot to lot, no matter what volume is used.

Magnetic bead separation force is independent of distance from beads in homogeneous separators

Magnetophoretical conditions are reproduced faithfully for all of the Sepmag systems. Therefore, one can work with several different volumes and scale up at any time without the necessity of revalidating the process. Since permanent magnets retain their magnetic properties for at least 100 years, the Sepmag systems are timeless devices that will ensure complete consistency between lots for a very long time.

If you found this article interesting and want to get a deeper insight in the topic of magnetic bead separation, make sure to check these articles from our blog:

Dr. Lluís Martínez

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