Methods for separating particulate substrates from solution while minimizing particle loss

A method for isolating a molecule from a sample in a vessel, comprising the steps of:

• (a) combining the sample containing a molecule of interest with affinity particles suitable for binding said molecule, said affinity particles being insoluble in the sample;
• (b) collecting the affinity particles;
• (c) separating the affinity particles from the unbound remainder of the sample;
• (d) optionally, resuspending the affinity particles in a solution;
• (e) optionally, eluting said molecule from the affinity particles, followed by separating the affinity particles from said eluted molecule;
• wherein at least one of steps (a), (b), (c), (d) if present, and (e) if present is performed in the presence of detergent sufficient to reduce loss of particles during any separation step, in comparison to the same method performed in the absence of detergent.

A separation method comprising the steps of:

• (a) incubating a finely divided particulate matrix material in the presence of a detergent;
• (b) dispersing said particulate matrix material in a sample;
• (c) collecting the particles of the particulate matrix material;
• and
• (d) removing the supernatant from the particulate matrix material.

A method for isolating a molecule from a sample in a vessel, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a multiplicity of affinity particles and incubating said particles in the presence of a detergent;
• (b) combining the sample containing a molecule of interest with affinity particles suitable for binding said molecule, said affinity particles being insoluble in the sample;
• (c) collecting the affinity particles;
• (d) separating the affinity particles from the unbound remainder of the sample;
• (e) optionally, resuspending the affinity particles in a solution;
• (f) optionally, eluting said molecule from the affinity particles, followed by separating the affinity particles from said eluted molecule;
• wherein any of the steps (b), (c), (d), (e) if present, and (f) if present may optionally be also performed in the presence of detergent, wherein the use of detergent is sufficient to reduce loss of particles during any separation step, in comparison to the same method performed in the absence of detergent.

A method for isolating a molecule from a sample in a vessel, comprising the steps of:

• (a) combining the sample containing a molecule of interest with magnetic affinity particles suitable for binding said molecule, said magnetic affinity particles being insoluble in the sample;
• (b) applying a magnetic field to the vessel so as to attract and immobilize the magnetic affinity particles;
• (c) separating the unimmobilized remainder of the sample from the immobilized magnetic affinity particles;
• (d) optionally, resuspending the magnetic affinity particles in a solution;
• (e) optionally, eluting said molecule from the affinity particles, followed by separating the affinity particles from said eluted molecule;
• wherein at least one of steps (a), (b), (c), (d) if present, and (e) if present is performed in the presence of detergent sufficient to reduce loss of particles during any separation step, in comparison to the same method performed in the absence of detergent.

A method for isolating a molecule from a sample in a vessel, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a multiplicity of magnetic affinity particles and incubating said particles in the presence of a detergent;
• (b) combining the sample containing a molecule of interest with said affinity particles suitable for binding said molecule, said affinity particles being insoluble in the sample;
• (c) immobilizing the magnetic affinity particles by applying a magnet to said vessel;
• (d) separating the remainder of the sample from the immobilized magnetic affinity particles;
• (e) optionally, resuspending the affinity particles in a solution;
• (f) optionally, eluting said molecule from the affinity particles, followed by separating the affinity particles from said eluted molecule;
• wherein any of the steps (b), (c), (d), (e) if present, and (f) if present may optionally be also performed in the presence of detergent, wherein the use of detergent is sufficient to reduce loss of particles during any separation step, in comparison to the same method performed in the absence of detergent.