Hyperlayer hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation of cells

Interest in low-cost, analytical-scale, highly efficient and sensitive separation methods for cells, among which bacteria, is increasing. Particle separation in hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation (HF FlFFF) has been recently improved by the optimization of the HF FlFFF channel design. The intrinsic simplicity and low cost of this HF FlFFF channel allows for its disposable usage, which is particularly appealing for analytical bio-applications. Here, for the first time, we present a feasibility study on high-performance, hyperlayer HF FlFFF of micrometer-sized bacteria (Escherichia coli) and of different types of cells (human red blood cells, wine-making yeast from Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Fractionation performance is shown to be at least comparable to that obtained with conventional, flat-channel hyperlayer FlFFF of cells, at superior size-based selectivity and reduced analysis time.