Method for separation of components in a biochemical reaction utilizing a combination of magnetic and centrifugal processes

A method for separating a component of interest from a sample, said method comprising:

• providing a container;
• said container having a longitudinal axis, an interior volume, and a physical feature for trapping and retaining at least a portion of a particulate material disposed within said interior volume of said container when said container is rotated about said longitudinal axis of said container;
• disposing, within said interior volume of said container, both of said sample and a multiplicity of magnetic particles, said magnetic particles being coated with a reaction component that binds with said component of interest;
• mixing said sample with said multiplicity of coated magnetic particles to thereby produce a mixture of said magnetic particles and a supernatent liquid;
• and
• thereafter, separating said magnetic particles from said supernatent liquid by:
• centrifuging said mixture of magnetic particles and supernatent liquid within said container by rotating said container about said longitudinal axis such that at least a portion of said supernatent liquid is expelled from said container while at least a portion of said multiplicity of magnetic particles are trapped and retained within said interior volume of said container by said physical feature;
• and
• applying a magnetic field to said container such that magnetic lines of force penetrate said container and pass through said mixture of said magnetic particles and said supernatent liquid during at least a portion of said centrifuging of said mixture of magnetic particles and supernatent liquid within said container.