Separation of lanthanide-binding cells

A new method for magnetic separation of cells is described. Based on cellular concentration of complexed paramagnetic cations from a carrier solution, the method achieves highly repeatable separations, at lower magnetization fields, than existing HGMS cell-separation methods. Feasibility has been shown for erbium and dysprosium, with whole blood as the sample. Single-pass magnetic separation efficiencies significantly greater than those attainable with paramagnetic erythrocytic hemoglobin are readily available, e.g., 90% versus 37%, at 0.3 Tesla and 0.75ml/min flow rate. The method requires no cellular incubations, is not technically demanding, and does not visibly affect cellular integrity; it promises to provide a flexible and general technique for cell separation.