FRACTIONATION OF GRANULOCYTES FROM WHOLE HUMAN BLOOD BY CENTRIFUGATION. PRACTICAL HINTS

LUMINITA S. MUNTEANU, A. DINU

Biophysics Research Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract. Until now, the two methods used for isolation of white human blood cells are centrifugation and MACS (magnetic antibody cell separation). The first one is most common because of the lower costs and good results; the second one is easier, much faster, but very expensive. Our aim is to present, briefly, the basic principles of gradient centrifugation, the physico-chemical properties of the media we used (Percoll) and some practical hints regarding the granulocytes isolation from whole human blood. We hope to convince the readers that centrifugation/ultracentrifugation is a valuable tool in basic as well as clinically oriented research dealing with neutrophils functions.

Author’s e-mail: lslumina@yahoo.com

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