Protein Concentrators

Protein concentrators are lab devices that use methods like centrifugal force or tangential flow filtration with a semi-permeable membrane to separate and concentrate proteins from a larger liquid volume by allowing smaller molecules to pass through while retaining larger protein molecules. Protein extraction, purification, and cleanup methods frequently produce dilute samples of proteins in buffer matrices incompatible with downstream applications. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers products that utilize two general methods of biomolecule concentration: ultrafiltration and crossflow filtration, also called tangential flow filtration (TFF).

Pierce Protein Concentrators are disposable ultrafiltration centrifugal devices used to concentrate, desalt, and buffer exchange biological samples, such as proteins and nucleic acids, readying them for downstream applications with minimal sample handling. They are available in four sizes (0.5, 6, 20, and 100 mL) and offer pH compatibility over a broad pH range (1–9).

Nanocon Crossflow Concentrator is a concentrator that utilizes tangential flow centrifugation technology to concentrate nanosized particles including exosomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNP), and viruses. The 30 nM pore size PE membrane is excellent for nanosized particles, and it fits conveniently in a 250 mL centrifuge adapter.

Pierce Crossflow Filtration Cassettes are membrane-based devices designed for concentrating larger volume sizes and operate via peristaltic pump pressure. They are designed for use in small-volume manufacturing and pilot-scale tangential flow filtration of biological samples yielding high recovery of peptides, proteins, and virus/viral particles. They are used to concentrate large supernatant volumes (0.5–6 L). Additional accessories are available for use with the crossflow filtration cassettes.

Ultrafiltration centrifugal devices	Ultrafiltration centrifugal devices				Crossflow filtration devices
Product	Protein Concentrators PES, 0.1–0.5 mL	Protein Concentrators PES, 2–6 mL	Protein Concentrators PES, 5–20 mL	Protein Concentrators PES, 20–100 mL	Nanocon Crossflow Concentrator	Crossflow Filtration Cassettes
Sample volume	0.1–0.5 mL	2–6 mL	5–20 mL	20–100 mL	40 mL	0.5–6 L
MWCO* / Pore size	3 kDa, 10 kDa, 30 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa (25 ct)	3 kDa, 10 kDa, 30 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa (10 ct)	3 kDa, 10 kDa, 30 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa (10 ct)	5 kDa, 10 kDa, 30 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa (4 ct)	30 nm (6 pk)	3 kDa, 10 kDa, 30 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa
Quantity	10 or 25	10 or 24	10 or 24	4	6	1

*MWCO = molecular weight cutoff

Ultrafiltration centrifugal protein concentrators are designed to remove excess buffer and small molecules while retaining the target proteins, making them excellent for preparing samples for downstream applications. Features include:

To concentrate protein in supernatant, the sample is typically loaded into the concentrator, which is then subjected to centrifugal force or pressure to facilitate the separation of proteins from the surrounding liquid. This process results in a concentrated protein solution that is ready for further analysis or experimentation.

Features of Nanocon concentrators

Nanocon crossflow concentrators are a distinct choice for concentration of biomolecules with features that include:

Features of crossflow filtration concentrators

Crossflow filtration cassette concentrators offer several key features that make them effective for protein purification workflows:

Recommended accessories for Pierce Crossflow Filtration Cassettes

Pierce Crossflow Sample and Diafiltration Reservoir, 500 mL
Pierce Crossflow Y-Connector
Pierce Crossflow Filtration Accessory Pack