MACS® Cell Separation strategies

Magnetic cell separation strategies with MACS® Technology

  • Positive cell selection for isolation of a particular cell type
  • Untouched target cell isolation by depletion of unwanted cells
  • Sequential separation for isolation of cell subsets

The diversity of the MACS Technology portfolio provides ultimate flexibility for cell separation procedures. Choose between various isolation strategies such as positive selection, depletion, untouched isolation, or sequential sorting of cell subsets to get the cells you really need.

Positive cell selection

Target cell isolation based on one or multiple markers

Positive selection means that a particular target cell type is magnetically labeled. During separation, the magnetically labeled cells are retained within the column, while unlabeled cells flow through. After a washing step, the column is removed from the magnetic field of the separator, and target cells are eluted from the column. Positive selection can be performed by direct or indirect magnetic labeling. Specific MACS MicroBeads are available for the positive selection of numerous cell types. 

Untouched cell isolation

Isolation of unlabeled cells of interest based on multiple markers

To isolate a particular target cell type in an unlabeled, i.e., untouched form, non-target cells are magnetically labeled and depleted. During separation, the unlabeled target cell type is collected in the flow-through fraction. The mixture of magnetically labeled non-target cells is retained within the column. Optionally, the magnetically labeled cells can be eluted after removal of the column from the magnetic field of the separator (not shown). 

MACS Cell Isolation Kits for untouched isolation contain a cocktail of titrated antibodies and MACS MicroBeads for indirect magnetic labeling. They are the preferred choice if binding of antibodies to target cells is not desired. 

Removal of one certain cell type

To remove a certain cell type from a mixture of cells, the unwanted cell type is magnetically labeled. During separation, the unlabeled target cells are collected in the flow-through fraction, while the unwanted cell type is retained within the column. Optionally, the retained cells can be eluted after removal of the column from the separator.

Sequential cell isolation

Isolation of a cell subset using more than one marker

A combination of two subsequent separations is applied to isolate cell subsets that can be distinguished from other cell types through their expression of two different markers. This includes cell types for which a specific marker has not been defined.

1. Depletion followed by positive selection

This separation strategy is useful, if undesired cells and target cells have one marker in common. In this case, the target cells cannot be isolated in a single positive selection step using this marker. Therefore, the undesired cells expressing this marker are magnetically labeled via antigens distinct from the common marker, and depleted. The cells appearing in the flow-through fraction during this separation are subsequently labeled with MACS MicroBeads that bind to the common marker. Target cells are then isolated by positive selection. 

2. Positive selection followed by label-and bead removal and second positive selection

REAlease™ MicroBead Technology has been developed for maximal flexibility in cell separation. It allows for magnetic cell isolation by positive selection of target cells and subsequent removal of any beads and labels from the cells. The cells are then available for further separation steps.

Principle of REAlease™ MicroBead Technology 

The technology relies on recombinantly engineered antibody fragments instead of antibodies to label specific cell surface markers. The antibody fragments have a low affinity for cell surface epitopes. However, when the fragments are multimerized as a complex, they bind epitopes on target cells with high avidity and enable effective magnetic cell separation. REAlease Technology controls the multimer/monomer state of the fragments and thus triggers the release of monomerized antibody fragments from the cell surface after isolation.  

Ultimately, the isolated, positively selected target cells are free from antibody fragments and magnetic labels and are thus available for further separation steps. Of course, the negative, i.e. non-labeled, cell fraction from this separation step is also available for further separation by positive selection.

3. Two subsequent positive selections

Multiparameter cell separation with MACS MultiSort MicroBeads is based on two sequential positive selections according to two different markers. MACS MultiSort MicroBeads specific for the first marker allow the first positive selection. After the separation, the cells are incubated with the MultiSort Release Reagent, which enzymatically removes the MultiSort MicroBeads from the cells. In the next step, the target cells are magnetically labeled with MACS MicroBeads directed against the second marker and again subjected to positive selection.


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Webinar: The basics of magnetic cell separation with MACS® Technology


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