Sedimentation Field-Flow Fractionation: Methodological Basis and Applications for Cell Sorting

As a cell sorter, sedimentation field-flow fractionation (SdFFF) can be defined as an efficient tool for cell separation and purification which respects cell functional integrity, viability, as well as provides enhanced recovery and purified sterile fraction collection. SdFFF elution should be performed under strictly defined conditions concerning apparatus construction (channel wall materials) and set up (bio-compatible “Hyperlayer” mode) to obtain rapid cell elution, high recovery (negligible cell trapping), short- and long-term viability, and sterile conditions (cleaning and decontamination procedures). As shown recently in various reports, specific characterization of time-dependent collected cells have demonstrated the effectiveness of SdFFF to provide, in a few minutes, purified, viable, sterile cells which can be used for many investigations such as transplantation.