Patent ID: 6348338
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: C12N

Abstract:
Method to separate cells, consisting ofa) introducing superparamagnetic particles into the cells wherein the particles are very small in relation to the size of the cells, by 1) adsorbing said superparamagnetic particles onto particles of high density that are small in relation to the size of the cells (microcarriers), and 2) accelerating said microcarriers in the direction of the cells in such a way that said microcarriers enter or pass through the cells and unload said superparamagnetic particles and any other adsorbed matter into the cells, rendering the cells susceptible to magnetic fields by virtue of the incorporated superparamagnetic particles; b) passing the cells through a magnetic field strong enough to retain the cells susceptible to magnetic fields, whereas nonmagnetic cells can be removed by washing; and c) recovering the cells retained by the magnetic field by removing the magnetic field.