Cell Separations on the Countercurrent Chromatograph

Abstract

Separation of cells differing only subtly has been achieved by partitioning between the two phases formed by solution of dextran and polyethylene glycol in water. Cell populations which have related, but not identical, surface properties seldom exhibit sufficiently different partition behavior to be separated in a single extraction. In such cases, repeated partitions are carried out via countercurrent distribution or countercurrent chromatography to effect the separation. Potential advantages of countercurrent chromatography are its ease and rapidity of operation. In the present work we describe our approach to determining and possibly improving the efficiency of polymer phase partitioning by countercurrent chromatography.