Search Thermo Fisher Scientific
Search Thermo Fisher Scientific
Cell Isolation and Cell Separation |
Cell isolation helps researchers characterize specific, pure cell populations. With Dynabeads magnetic beads, researchers can specifically isolate cells from cell suspension from human, mouse, or other species in three main methodologies—positive isolation, negative isolation, or cell depletion, and combinations thereof.
Cell isolation helps researchers characterize specific, pure cell populations. Cell isolation, also commonly referred to as cell separation, can be achieved using magnetic beads to target cells for selection or depletion by using ligands or antibodies directed against specific cell surface antigens. Labeled cells that are cross-linked to magnetic beads are immobilized using magnets or magnetic racks or through compatible automation platforms. Magnetic bead cell separation methods offer the capability to perform positive isolation, negative isolation or negative cell selection, or cell depletion, and combinations thereof. This method is easy and fast compared to other commonly used cell isolation methods to isolate highly purified populations of specific cell subsets, such as those found in human or mouse cell lines.
Read more about positive selection, negative selection and depletion, as well as view our variety of kits and products to help improve your cell isolation protocols.
Positive cell isolation involves directly labeling desired cells for selection using an antibody or ligand that targets a specific cell surface protein.
Positive isolation of cells is performed using magnetic beads coated with cell surface marker specific binders, generally specific antibodies. The isolated cell population is defined by expression of the surface marker(s) targeted by the binder(s) on the magnetic beads. Positive isolation methods with Dynabeads magnetic beads can further be divided into positive isolation without release, resulting in bead-bound cells of interest, and positive isolation with release, resulting in bead-free cells of interest. For customized positive isolation, you can build your own positive isolation product for a wide range of species and with any antibody of your choice. Many Dynabeads products are automated on KingFisher instruments for efficient positive isolation with less hands-on time.
The bead-cell complexes are separated from the sample (e.g., unbound cells, soluble biomolecules and debris) using a magnet. The supernatant is discarded, and bead-bound cells are resuspended in the desired buffer for further downstream handling and/or analysis.
Key benefits of positive isolation without release using Dynabeads magnetic beads:
The bead-cell complexes are separated from the sample using a magnet, washed and treated with the release buffer to separate beads and cells. Finally, beads are removed using a magnet, and the bead-free cells are available for any downstream application.
Key benefits of positive isolation with release using Dynabeads magnetic beads:
Cell surface marker to target for isolation | Cell type targeted | Format(s) available |
---|---|---|
CD3 | Cytotoxic T cells and T helper cells | FlowComp kit |
CD4 | T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD8 | Cytotoxic T cells | FlowComp kit DETACHaBEAD kit |
CD14 | CD14+ monocytes | FlowComp kit |
CD19 | Pan B cells | DETACHaBEAD kit |
CD34 | Progenitor stem cells | DETACHaBEAD kit |
CD4/CD25 | Regulatory CD4+ T cells | DETACHaBEAD kit |
EPCAM | Epithelial cells | CELLection kit |
Cell surface marker to target for isolation | Cell type targeted | Format(s) available |
---|---|---|
CD4 | Naive CD4+ T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD8 | Naive CD8+ T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD4/CD25 | Regulatory CD4+ T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD90.2 | Pan T cells | FlowComp kit |
Pan IgG | Depends on your antibody | CELLection kit |
In contrast to column-based systems, FlowComp technology lets you isolate bead-free cells directly from human whole blood, buffy coat, or from mouse/human mononuclear cells (MNCs). Following separation, the beads are immediately released and removed, helping ensure the least possible interaction with your cells. Isolated bead-free cells are then ready for use in any downstream application, including flow cytometry. Get high cell recovery, viability, and purity using FlowComp kits and markers.
Additional positive cell isolation kits are available to use for a wide range of species, with any antibody of your choice.
Target cell species | Recommended antibody | Suggested product |
---|---|---|
Any species (except mouse) | Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Pan Mouse IgG |
Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgM | Dynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM | |
Any species (except rat) | Rat IgG | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG |
Any species (except rabbit) | Rabbit IgG | Dynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG |
Any species | Biotinylated antibody | Dynabeads Biotin Binder |
CELLection Biotin Binder Kit | ||
Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1 | ||
Any purified antibody/ligand | Dynabeads FlowComp Flexi Kit | |
Dynabeads M-450 Epoxy | ||
Dynabeads M-450 Tosylactivated | ||
Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kit* |
*The Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kits contain buffers for optimal coupling conditions.
Automated protocol description | Supporting products | Download automation scripts |
---|---|---|
Positive cell isolation or cell depletion for downstream nucleic acid, protein analysis, or cell depletion
|
| |
Positive cell isolation for downstream cellular applications, such as T cell activation
|
|
* For Laboratory Use.
Cell depletion is useful for helping reduce sample complexity to enrich rare cells in the sample, thereby dramatically increasing detection and analysis sensitivity. It is typically used for the detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells by depleting white blood cells.
Cell depletion is performed using magnetic beads conjugated with one specific binder (generally a specific antibody) for depletion of all cells expressing the corresponding cell surface molecule. The bead-bound cells are removed from the sample using a magnet. The remaining, depleted sample has reduced complexity and is enriched for the cells of interest. This method may be used for detection and analysis of rare cells, and/or for downstream flow sorting.
Key benefits of negative cell separation using Dynabeads magnetic beads:
![]() | Cell depletion kits are available to target specific human cell surface markers to deplete certain cell populations, which can be found in the table below. |
Cell type to deplete | Cell surface marker(s) to target for depletion |
---|---|
T cells and natural killer (NK) cells | CD2 |
Mature T cells | CD3 |
T helper cells | CD4 |
Cytotoxic T cells | CD8 |
Monocytes | CD14 |
Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes | CD15 |
Pan B cells | CD19 |
Regulatory T cells | CD25 |
Endothelial cells | CD31 |
Leukocytes | CD45 |
Epithelial cells | EPCAM |
Automated protocol description | Supporting products | Download automation scripts |
---|---|---|
Cell depletion or positive cell isolation for downstream nucleic acid, protein analysis, or cell depletion |
|
![]() | Cell depletion kits are available to target specific mouse cell surface markers to deplete certain cell populations, which can be found in the table below. |
Cell type to deplete | Cell surface marker(s) to target for depletion |
---|---|
CD4+ T cells | CD4 |
CD8+ T cells | CD8 |
Pan B cells | B220 |
Pan T cells | Thy1.2 |
Build your own kit and attach your own antibody for custom cell targeting.
Target cell species | Recommended antibody | Suggested product |
---|---|---|
Any species (except mouse) | Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Pan Mouse IgG |
Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgM | Dynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM | |
Any species (except rat) | Rat IgG | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG |
Any species (except rabbit) | Rabbit IgG | Dynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG |
Any species | Biotinylated antibody | Dynabeads Biotin Binder |
Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1 | ||
Any purified antibody/ligand | Dynabeads M-450 Epoxy | |
Dynabeads M-450 Tosylactivated | ||
Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kit* |
* The Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kits contain buffers for optimal coupling conditions.
Negative cell involves labeling unwanted cell types for removal. The unwanted cell types can be bound using magnetic beads coupled to antibodies or ligands that target specific cell surface proteins. The bound, unwanted cells can be depleted from the final isolated fraction by incubating the sample in a magnetic field, leaving desired unbound cells free floating in solution.
Negative cell isolation involves depletion of several unwanted cell types from the sample, leaving your target cell untouched and free of antibodies and beads. An antibody mix specific to unwanted cells is first added to the sample, followed by the addition of the magnetic beads specific to the labeling antibodies. The bead-cell complexes are removed using a magnet, leaving the pure and untouched cells of interest in the supernatant.
Negative cell separation using magnetic beads:
![]() | Negative cell isolation kits are available for human cells to target the following cell types: |
Enriched untouched cell type | Surface markers on depleted cells | Format available |
---|---|---|
CD4+ T cells: T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cells | CD8, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235a | Untouched kit |
CD8+ T cells: cytotoxic T cells | CD4, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Dendritic cells (DCs) | CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD56, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Monocytes | CD3, CD7, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD56, CD123, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Pan B cells | CD2, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD36, CD43, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Pan T cells | CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CD123, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Natural killer (NK) cells | CD3, CD14, CD36, HLA Class II, CD123, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
![]() | Negative cell isolation kits are available for mouse cells to target the following cell types: |
Enriched untouched cell type | Surface markers on depleted cells | Format available |
---|---|---|
Naive CD4+ T cells | CD8, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32 | Untouched kit |
Naive CD8+ T cells | CD4, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32 | Untouched kit |
Dendritic cells (DCs) | CD2, CD3ε, CD49b, mIgM, and Ter-119 | Dynabeads kit |
Pan B cells | CD43 | Dynabeads kit |
Pan T cells | CD11b, CD16/32, CD45R, and Ter-119 | Untouched kit |
Positive cell isolation involves directly labeling desired cells for selection using an antibody or ligand that targets a specific cell surface protein.
Positive isolation of cells is performed using magnetic beads coated with cell surface marker specific binders, generally specific antibodies. The isolated cell population is defined by expression of the surface marker(s) targeted by the binder(s) on the magnetic beads. Positive isolation methods with Dynabeads magnetic beads can further be divided into positive isolation without release, resulting in bead-bound cells of interest, and positive isolation with release, resulting in bead-free cells of interest. For customized positive isolation, you can build your own positive isolation product for a wide range of species and with any antibody of your choice. Many Dynabeads products are automated on KingFisher instruments for efficient positive isolation with less hands-on time.
The bead-cell complexes are separated from the sample (e.g., unbound cells, soluble biomolecules and debris) using a magnet. The supernatant is discarded, and bead-bound cells are resuspended in the desired buffer for further downstream handling and/or analysis.
Key benefits of positive isolation without release using Dynabeads magnetic beads:
The bead-cell complexes are separated from the sample using a magnet, washed and treated with the release buffer to separate beads and cells. Finally, beads are removed using a magnet, and the bead-free cells are available for any downstream application.
Key benefits of positive isolation with release using Dynabeads magnetic beads:
Cell surface marker to target for isolation | Cell type targeted | Format(s) available |
---|---|---|
CD3 | Cytotoxic T cells and T helper cells | FlowComp kit |
CD4 | T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD8 | Cytotoxic T cells | FlowComp kit DETACHaBEAD kit |
CD14 | CD14+ monocytes | FlowComp kit |
CD19 | Pan B cells | DETACHaBEAD kit |
CD34 | Progenitor stem cells | DETACHaBEAD kit |
CD4/CD25 | Regulatory CD4+ T cells | DETACHaBEAD kit |
EPCAM | Epithelial cells | CELLection kit |
Cell surface marker to target for isolation | Cell type targeted | Format(s) available |
---|---|---|
CD4 | Naive CD4+ T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD8 | Naive CD8+ T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD4/CD25 | Regulatory CD4+ T cells | FlowComp kit |
CD90.2 | Pan T cells | FlowComp kit |
Pan IgG | Depends on your antibody | CELLection kit |
In contrast to column-based systems, FlowComp technology lets you isolate bead-free cells directly from human whole blood, buffy coat, or from mouse/human mononuclear cells (MNCs). Following separation, the beads are immediately released and removed, helping ensure the least possible interaction with your cells. Isolated bead-free cells are then ready for use in any downstream application, including flow cytometry. Get high cell recovery, viability, and purity using FlowComp kits and markers.
Additional positive cell isolation kits are available to use for a wide range of species, with any antibody of your choice.
Target cell species | Recommended antibody | Suggested product |
---|---|---|
Any species (except mouse) | Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Pan Mouse IgG |
Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgM | Dynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM | |
Any species (except rat) | Rat IgG | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG |
Any species (except rabbit) | Rabbit IgG | Dynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG |
Any species | Biotinylated antibody | Dynabeads Biotin Binder |
CELLection Biotin Binder Kit | ||
Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1 | ||
Any purified antibody/ligand | Dynabeads FlowComp Flexi Kit | |
Dynabeads M-450 Epoxy | ||
Dynabeads M-450 Tosylactivated | ||
Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kit* |
*The Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kits contain buffers for optimal coupling conditions.
Automated protocol description | Supporting products | Download automation scripts |
---|---|---|
Positive cell isolation or cell depletion for downstream nucleic acid, protein analysis, or cell depletion
|
| |
Positive cell isolation for downstream cellular applications, such as T cell activation
|
|
* For Laboratory Use.
Cell depletion is useful for helping reduce sample complexity to enrich rare cells in the sample, thereby dramatically increasing detection and analysis sensitivity. It is typically used for the detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells by depleting white blood cells.
Cell depletion is performed using magnetic beads conjugated with one specific binder (generally a specific antibody) for depletion of all cells expressing the corresponding cell surface molecule. The bead-bound cells are removed from the sample using a magnet. The remaining, depleted sample has reduced complexity and is enriched for the cells of interest. This method may be used for detection and analysis of rare cells, and/or for downstream flow sorting.
Key benefits of negative cell separation using Dynabeads magnetic beads:
![]() | Cell depletion kits are available to target specific human cell surface markers to deplete certain cell populations, which can be found in the table below. |
Cell type to deplete | Cell surface marker(s) to target for depletion |
---|---|
T cells and natural killer (NK) cells | CD2 |
Mature T cells | CD3 |
T helper cells | CD4 |
Cytotoxic T cells | CD8 |
Monocytes | CD14 |
Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes | CD15 |
Pan B cells | CD19 |
Regulatory T cells | CD25 |
Endothelial cells | CD31 |
Leukocytes | CD45 |
Epithelial cells | EPCAM |
Automated protocol description | Supporting products | Download automation scripts |
---|---|---|
Cell depletion or positive cell isolation for downstream nucleic acid, protein analysis, or cell depletion |
|
![]() | Cell depletion kits are available to target specific mouse cell surface markers to deplete certain cell populations, which can be found in the table below. |
Cell type to deplete | Cell surface marker(s) to target for depletion |
---|---|
CD4+ T cells | CD4 |
CD8+ T cells | CD8 |
Pan B cells | B220 |
Pan T cells | Thy1.2 |
Build your own kit and attach your own antibody for custom cell targeting.
Target cell species | Recommended antibody | Suggested product |
---|---|---|
Any species (except mouse) | Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Pan Mouse IgG |
Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgG | Dynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG | |
Mouse IgM | Dynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM | |
Any species (except rat) | Rat IgG | Dynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG |
Any species (except rabbit) | Rabbit IgG | Dynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG |
Any species | Biotinylated antibody | Dynabeads Biotin Binder |
Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1 | ||
Any purified antibody/ligand | Dynabeads M-450 Epoxy | |
Dynabeads M-450 Tosylactivated | ||
Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kit* |
* The Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kits contain buffers for optimal coupling conditions.
Negative cell involves labeling unwanted cell types for removal. The unwanted cell types can be bound using magnetic beads coupled to antibodies or ligands that target specific cell surface proteins. The bound, unwanted cells can be depleted from the final isolated fraction by incubating the sample in a magnetic field, leaving desired unbound cells free floating in solution.
Negative cell isolation involves depletion of several unwanted cell types from the sample, leaving your target cell untouched and free of antibodies and beads. An antibody mix specific to unwanted cells is first added to the sample, followed by the addition of the magnetic beads specific to the labeling antibodies. The bead-cell complexes are removed using a magnet, leaving the pure and untouched cells of interest in the supernatant.
Negative cell separation using magnetic beads:
![]() | Negative cell isolation kits are available for human cells to target the following cell types: |
Enriched untouched cell type | Surface markers on depleted cells | Format available |
---|---|---|
CD4+ T cells: T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cells | CD8, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235a | Untouched kit |
CD8+ T cells: cytotoxic T cells | CD4, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Dendritic cells (DCs) | CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD56, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Monocytes | CD3, CD7, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD56, CD123, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Pan B cells | CD2, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD36, CD43, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Pan T cells | CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CD123, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
Natural killer (NK) cells | CD3, CD14, CD36, HLA Class II, CD123, and CD235a | Untouched kit |
![]() | Negative cell isolation kits are available for mouse cells to target the following cell types: |
Enriched untouched cell type | Surface markers on depleted cells | Format available |
---|---|---|
Naive CD4+ T cells | CD8, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32 | Untouched kit |
Naive CD8+ T cells | CD4, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32 | Untouched kit |
Dendritic cells (DCs) | CD2, CD3ε, CD49b, mIgM, and Ter-119 | Dynabeads kit |
Pan B cells | CD43 | Dynabeads kit |
Pan T cells | CD11b, CD16/32, CD45R, and Ter-119 | Untouched kit |
KingFisher instruments automate the isolation of DNA, RNA, proteins, exosomes, viruses, and cells. KingFisher instruments help eliminate cross contamination and produce reproducible results. Protocol time will vary depending on the target and type of beads.
Learn more about KingFisher instruments for automated protocols
View publications on Dynabeads Streptavidin magnetic beads
View publications on Dynabeads magnetic beads for immunoprecipitation
For simpler, faster, and significant cost savings compared to traditional column-based separation methods, use MagniSort technology to obtain enriched T cells, B cells, and NK cells.
Learn more about MagniSort magnetic cell separation technology
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
KingFisher Flex and KingFisher Apex are for Laboratory Use.