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

Positive cell isolation involves directly labeling desired cells for selection using an antibody or ligand that targets a specific cell surface protein.

Positive cell isolation with Dynabeads magnetic beads

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.

Positive isolation without release

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:

  • Excellent for fast and easy isolation of cells from complex samples (such as whole blood or tissue) for downstream molecular analysis requiring cell lysis
  • The method yields highly pure and unaltered cells.
  • Suitable for applications in molecular biology and proteomics

Human positive cell isolation without release products

Cell type targetedCell surface markers
T cells and natural killer (NK) cellsCD2
Mature T cellsCD3
T helper cellsCD4
Cytotoxic T cellsCD8
MonocytesCD14
Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytesCD15
Pan B cellsCD19
Regulatory T cellsCD25
Endothelial cellsCD31
LeukocytesCD45
Epithelial cellsEPCAM

Mouse positive cell isolation without release products

Cell type targetedCell surface markers
CD4+ T cellsCD2
CD8+ T cellsCD3
Pan TCD4
Pan BCD8

Positive isolation with release

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:

  • Exceptional for isolation of bead-free cells from complex samples (such as whole blood or tissue) for downstream cell culture and flow analysis
  • The method yields very high cell purity due to the two-step process of selective bead binding and selective bead-release
  • Suitable for applications in flow cytometry and cell culture

Human positive isolation with release products

Cell surface marker to target for isolationCell type targetedFormat(s) available
CD3Cytotoxic T cells and T helper cellsFlowComp kit
CD4T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cellsFlowComp kit
CD8Cytotoxic T cells FlowComp kit
DETACHaBEAD kit
CD14CD14+ monocytesFlowComp kit
CD19Pan B cellsDETACHaBEAD kit
CD34Progenitor stem cellsDETACHaBEAD kit
CD4/CD25Regulatory CD4+ T cellsDETACHaBEAD kit
EPCAMEpithelial cellsCELLection kit

Learn more about flow compatible Dynabeads kits

Mouse positive cell isolation kits

Cell surface marker to target for isolationCell type targetedFormat(s) available
CD4Naive CD4+ T cellsFlowComp kit
CD8Naive CD8+ T cellsFlowComp kit
CD4/CD25Regulatory CD4+ T cellsFlowComp kit
CD90.2Pan T cellsFlowComp kit
Pan IgGDepends on your antibodyCELLection kit
Dynabeads FlowComp positive cell isolation kits for your flow cytometry cell sorting experiments

Custom positive isolation

Additional positive cell isolation kits are available to use for a wide range of species, with any antibody of your choice.

Target cell speciesRecommended antibodySuggested product
Any species (except mouse)Mouse IgGDynabeads Pan Mouse IgG
Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2bDynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG
Mouse IgGDynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG
Mouse IgMDynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM
Any species (except rat)Rat IgGDynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG
Any species (except rabbit)Rabbit IgGDynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG
Any speciesBiotinylated antibodyDynabeads Biotin Binder
CELLection Biotin Binder Kit
Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1
Any purified antibody/ligandDynabeads 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.


Positive cell isolation automation scripts

    Automated protocol descriptionSupporting productsDownload 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

    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 with Dynabeads magnetic beads

    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:

    • Consistently high purity, viability, and yield
    • Compatibility with automated workflows using KingFisher instruments
    • High reproducibility and efficiency directly from whole blood samples
    • Suitable for applications in molecular biology, proteomics, cell culture, immunological studies, and circulating tumor cell research


    Human cell depletion kits

    Human icon 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 depleteCell surface marker(s) to target for depletion
    T cells and natural killer (NK) cellsCD2
    Mature T cellsCD3
    T helper cellsCD4
    Cytotoxic T cellsCD8
    MonocytesCD14
    Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytesCD15
    Pan B cellsCD19
    Regulatory T cellsCD25
    Endothelial cellsCD31
    LeukocytesCD45
    Epithelial cellsEPCAM


    Cell depletion or positive isolation automation scripts

    Automated protocol descriptionSupporting productsDownload automation scripts

    Cell depletion or positive cell isolation for downstream nucleic acid, protein analysis, or cell depletion             

    Mouse cell depletion kits

    Mouse icon 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 depleteCell surface marker(s) to target for depletion
    CD4+ T cellsCD4
    CD8+ T cellsCD8
    Pan B cellsB220
    Pan T cellsThy1.2

    Build-your-own negative cell depletion kit

    Build your own kit and attach your own antibody for custom cell targeting.

    Target cell speciesRecommended antibodySuggested product
    Any species (except mouse)Mouse IgGDynabeads Pan Mouse IgG
    Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2bDynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG
    Mouse IgGDynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG
    Mouse IgMDynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM
    Any species (except rat)Rat IgGDynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG
    Any species (except rabbit)Rabbit IgGDynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG
    Any speciesBiotinylated antibodyDynabeads Biotin Binder
    Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1
    Any purified antibody/ligandDynabeads M-450 Epoxy
    Dynabeads M-450 Tosylactivated
    Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kit*

    * The Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kits contain buffers for optimal coupling conditions.

    Negative cell isolation

    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 with Dynabeads magnetic beads

    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:

    • Consistently high purity, viability, and yield
    • High reproducibility
    • Target cells remain bead-free
    • Suitable for applications in flow cytometry, cell culture, molecular biology, and proteomics


    Human negative cell isolation kits

    Human icon 
    Negative cell isolation kits are available for human cells to target the following cell types:
    Enriched untouched cell typeSurface markers on depleted cellsFormat available
    CD4+ T cells: T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cellsCD8, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235aUntouched kit
    CD8+ T cells: cytotoxic T cellsCD4, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235aUntouched kit
    Dendritic cells (DCs)CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD56, and CD235aUntouched kit
    MonocytesCD3, CD7, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD56, CD123, and CD235aUntouched kit
    Pan B cellsCD2, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD36, CD43, and CD235aUntouched kit
    Pan T cellsCD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CD123, and CD235aUntouched kit
    Natural killer (NK) cellsCD3, CD14, CD36, HLA Class II, CD123, and CD235aUntouched kit

    Mouse negative cell isolation kits

    Mouse icon 
    Negative cell isolation kits are available for mouse cells to target the following cell types:
    Enriched untouched cell typeSurface markers on depleted cellsFormat available
    Naive CD4+ T cellsCD8, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32Untouched kit
    Naive CD8+ T cellsCD4, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32Untouched kit
    Dendritic cells (DCs)CD2, CD3ε, CD49b, mIgM, and Ter-119Dynabeads kit
    Pan B cellsCD43Dynabeads kit
    Pan T cellsCD11b, CD16/32, CD45R, and Ter-119Untouched kit

    Positive cell isolation

    Positive cell isolation involves directly labeling desired cells for selection using an antibody or ligand that targets a specific cell surface protein.

    Positive cell isolation with Dynabeads magnetic beads

    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.

    Positive isolation without release

    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:

    • Excellent for fast and easy isolation of cells from complex samples (such as whole blood or tissue) for downstream molecular analysis requiring cell lysis
    • The method yields highly pure and unaltered cells.
    • Suitable for applications in molecular biology and proteomics

    Human positive cell isolation without release products

    Cell type targetedCell surface markers
    T cells and natural killer (NK) cellsCD2
    Mature T cellsCD3
    T helper cellsCD4
    Cytotoxic T cellsCD8
    MonocytesCD14
    Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytesCD15
    Pan B cellsCD19
    Regulatory T cellsCD25
    Endothelial cellsCD31
    LeukocytesCD45
    Epithelial cellsEPCAM

    Mouse positive cell isolation without release products

    Cell type targetedCell surface markers
    CD4+ T cellsCD2
    CD8+ T cellsCD3
    Pan TCD4
    Pan BCD8

    Positive isolation with release

    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:

    • Exceptional for isolation of bead-free cells from complex samples (such as whole blood or tissue) for downstream cell culture and flow analysis
    • The method yields very high cell purity due to the two-step process of selective bead binding and selective bead-release
    • Suitable for applications in flow cytometry and cell culture

    Human positive isolation with release products

    Cell surface marker to target for isolationCell type targetedFormat(s) available
    CD3Cytotoxic T cells and T helper cellsFlowComp kit
    CD4T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cellsFlowComp kit
    CD8Cytotoxic T cells FlowComp kit
    DETACHaBEAD kit
    CD14CD14+ monocytesFlowComp kit
    CD19Pan B cellsDETACHaBEAD kit
    CD34Progenitor stem cellsDETACHaBEAD kit
    CD4/CD25Regulatory CD4+ T cellsDETACHaBEAD kit
    EPCAMEpithelial cellsCELLection kit

    Learn more about flow compatible Dynabeads kits

    Mouse positive cell isolation kits

    Cell surface marker to target for isolationCell type targetedFormat(s) available
    CD4Naive CD4+ T cellsFlowComp kit
    CD8Naive CD8+ T cellsFlowComp kit
    CD4/CD25Regulatory CD4+ T cellsFlowComp kit
    CD90.2Pan T cellsFlowComp kit
    Pan IgGDepends on your antibodyCELLection kit
    Dynabeads FlowComp positive cell isolation kits for your flow cytometry cell sorting experiments

    Custom positive isolation

    Additional positive cell isolation kits are available to use for a wide range of species, with any antibody of your choice.

    Target cell speciesRecommended antibodySuggested product
    Any species (except mouse)Mouse IgGDynabeads Pan Mouse IgG
    Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2bDynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG
    Mouse IgGDynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG
    Mouse IgMDynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM
    Any species (except rat)Rat IgGDynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG
    Any species (except rabbit)Rabbit IgGDynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG
    Any speciesBiotinylated antibodyDynabeads Biotin Binder
    CELLection Biotin Binder Kit
    Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1
    Any purified antibody/ligandDynabeads 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.


    Positive cell isolation automation scripts

      Automated protocol descriptionSupporting productsDownload 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

      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 with Dynabeads magnetic beads

      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:

      • Consistently high purity, viability, and yield
      • Compatibility with automated workflows using KingFisher instruments
      • High reproducibility and efficiency directly from whole blood samples
      • Suitable for applications in molecular biology, proteomics, cell culture, immunological studies, and circulating tumor cell research


      Human cell depletion kits

      Human icon 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 depleteCell surface marker(s) to target for depletion
      T cells and natural killer (NK) cellsCD2
      Mature T cellsCD3
      T helper cellsCD4
      Cytotoxic T cellsCD8
      MonocytesCD14
      Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytesCD15
      Pan B cellsCD19
      Regulatory T cellsCD25
      Endothelial cellsCD31
      LeukocytesCD45
      Epithelial cellsEPCAM


      Cell depletion or positive isolation automation scripts

      Automated protocol descriptionSupporting productsDownload automation scripts

      Cell depletion or positive cell isolation for downstream nucleic acid, protein analysis, or cell depletion             

      Mouse cell depletion kits

      Mouse icon 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 depleteCell surface marker(s) to target for depletion
      CD4+ T cellsCD4
      CD8+ T cellsCD8
      Pan B cellsB220
      Pan T cellsThy1.2

      Build-your-own negative cell depletion kit

      Build your own kit and attach your own antibody for custom cell targeting.

      Target cell speciesRecommended antibodySuggested product
      Any species (except mouse)Mouse IgGDynabeads Pan Mouse IgG
      Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2bDynabeads Sheep Anti-Mouse IgG
      Mouse IgGDynabeads Goat Anti-Mouse IgG
      Mouse IgMDynabeads Rat Anti-Mouse IgM
      Any species (except rat)Rat IgGDynabeads Sheep Anti-Rat IgG
      Any species (except rabbit)Rabbit IgGDynabeads M-280 Sheep Anti–Rabbit IgG
      Any speciesBiotinylated antibodyDynabeads Biotin Binder
      Dynabeads MyOne Streptavidin T1
      Any purified antibody/ligandDynabeads M-450 Epoxy
      Dynabeads M-450 Tosylactivated
      Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kit*

      * The Dynabeads Antibody Coupling Kits contain buffers for optimal coupling conditions.

      Negative cell isolation

      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 with Dynabeads magnetic beads

      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:

      • Consistently high purity, viability, and yield
      • High reproducibility
      • Target cells remain bead-free
      • Suitable for applications in flow cytometry, cell culture, molecular biology, and proteomics


      Human negative cell isolation kits

      Human icon 
      Negative cell isolation kits are available for human cells to target the following cell types:
      Enriched untouched cell typeSurface markers on depleted cellsFormat available
      CD4+ T cells: T helper cells, regulatory T cells, and natural killer T cellsCD8, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235aUntouched kit
      CD8+ T cells: cytotoxic T cellsCD4, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CDw123 and CD235aUntouched kit
      Dendritic cells (DCs)CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD56, and CD235aUntouched kit
      MonocytesCD3, CD7, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD56, CD123, and CD235aUntouched kit
      Pan B cellsCD2, CD14, CD16 (a and b), CD36, CD43, and CD235aUntouched kit
      Pan T cellsCD14, CD16 (a and b), CD19, CD36, CD56, CD123, and CD235aUntouched kit
      Natural killer (NK) cellsCD3, CD14, CD36, HLA Class II, CD123, and CD235aUntouched kit

      Mouse negative cell isolation kits

      Mouse icon 
      Negative cell isolation kits are available for mouse cells to target the following cell types:
      Enriched untouched cell typeSurface markers on depleted cellsFormat available
      Naive CD4+ T cellsCD8, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32Untouched kit
      Naive CD8+ T cellsCD4, CD45R (B220), CD11b (Mac1), Ter-119, and CD16/CD32Untouched kit
      Dendritic cells (DCs)CD2, CD3ε, CD49b, mIgM, and Ter-119Dynabeads kit
      Pan B cellsCD43Dynabeads kit
      Pan T cellsCD11b, CD16/32, CD45R, and Ter-119Untouched kit


      Videos on cell isolation

      Video: The two worlds of cell isolation

      Video: Uptake and intracellular accumulation of Miltenyi MicroBeads in human CD3+ T cells

      MagniSort cell isolation products
      Conceptual art of a large magnet attracting a magnet-bound surface

      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.

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