Easy Removal of Protein from Biologic Fluids

A new generation of multi-well protein filtration microplates is designed to quickly and efficiently remove proteins commonly contained in biologic fluids, such as plasma and serum, with minimum liquid handling.

Proteins that would interfere with downstream applications and analyses need to be eliminated from biologic fluids. A common method is to add a compound, usually an organic solvent, to cause the protein to precipitate. Traditionally, centrifugation is used to pellet the precipitated protein and the supernatant is then recovered. This method is time-consuming and requires much manual manipulation.

The new QFP 96-well protein precipitation filter plates produced by Anachem (Luton, UK) are easy to use and reliable both when used manually or as part of an automated system. Acetronitrile is added to the wells followed by the sample. After a two-minute incubation, vacuum or positive pressure is applied and the resulting filtrate is free of precipitated protein.

The plates are constructed using an innovative double filter system, consisting of a top filter (100–150 µm) to remove large particulates and a bottom filter (10 µm) to remove any small particles. Each filter is specially treated to support organic solvents and plasma, without leakage under gravity, allowing protein precipitation to occur. The double filter system ensures that the QFP plate will not clog even with high particulate loads. Each plate is tested with a Gilson Spe automated system to eliminate batch-to-batch variation.

QPF plates are suitable for use with manual protocols or automated systems using robotic equipment such as the Gilson Spe 215 (simultaneously processing eight samples) or the 925 workstation, which simultaneously processes 96 samples.




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