Biomagnetic separation techniques have revolutionised the biology and medical fields. The main advantage of this technology is its versatility in being able to separate all kinds of targets, from small molecules to whole cells. It also allows a faster and less laborious protocol to be developed without compromising the purification.
All biomagnetic separation techniques are based on the same principle: magnetic particles, which come in different compositions, sizes and shapes that determine their chemical and physical properties. The magnetic beads for bioseparation are usually composites, including nanosized particles of magnetite (Fe3O4) or maghemite (gamma Fe2O3) with superparamagnetic properties, that form one or more magnetic cores. The ferromagnetic particles have permanent magnetism once exposed to magnetic fields and are suitable for the purification of molecules in high viscosity solutions. The superparamagnetic particles are magnetised only when an external magnetic field is applied but return to a non-magnetic state once the field is removed from their vicinity, allowing easy resuspension, large surface area, slow sedimentation and uniform distribution.
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