Density Gradient Reagents

OptiMATE Cesium Chloride & Iodixanol

Liquid solutions designed for density gradient centrifugation, ideal for isolating various cell types, subcellular particles (such as plasmid DNA) and viruses. Our high-quality reagents are sterile and have low endotoxin levels (≤ 1 EU/mL) to support current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) workflows.

Density gradient centrifugation is a technique used in biochemistry, molecular biology, and other fields to separate particles or molecules based on their buoyant density or sedimentation coefficient in a gradient of density-forming material.

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Applications

 

Separation of biomolecules

Separate biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and more from complex mixtures.

Virus Purification

Purify virus and viral vector capsid types including, empty, partially loaded, full, and overloaded.

Isolation of Subcellular Structures

Isolate organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes, and membranes.

Fractionation of Cells

Fractionate cells to enable the study of distinct cell populations within heterogeneous samples.

Rate Zonal Isopycnic Equilibrium Zonal
Separation basis Materials separate by S-value (size and mass) in a pre-formed density gradient Materials separate by buoyant density in a self-forming (continuous) density gradient Materials separate by buoyant density in a pre-formed density gradient 
Typical gradient Continuous gradient (e.g., linear sucrose gradients) Continuous gradient (e.g., CsCl gradients) The sample is separated into discrete segments of density (or steps)
Common Gradient material(s) Iodixanol, Sucrose CsCl, Iodixanol Iodixanol (more common for viral separations), sucrose
Advantage High resolution rate-based separation of materials with similar S-values Highest resolution separation by density One-step purification and concentration by density
  Rate Zonal separation with Density Gradient Media   Isopycnic separation with Density Gradient Media  Equilibrium Zonal separation with Density Gradient Media


Resources and Protocols

How to prepare
consistent density gradients

 

Read

Purifying High Quality Exosomes
with Ultracentrifugation

 

Read

Quantifying crude AAV Samples
using DGE-AUC

 

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Vertical Rotor Case Study
with Adenovirus

 

Read

Purifying viral vector
with VTi 90 rotor and CsCl DGUC

 

Read

Frequently Asked Questions

Since the OptiMATE reagents are highly concentrated, both solutions should be stored at room temperature (20 °C).

The density gradient reagents have a shelf life of 18 months from date of manufacture.

OptiMATE reagents should not be flushed down the drain. Cesium chloride and iodixanol solutions should be disposed of at an approved hazardous waste disposal plant according to your organization's waste disposal plan.

Optimate reagents are highly flexible and can be used for both step or linear (continuous) gradients to purify a variety of sample types. Cesium chloride is an ionic salt known for its high hygroscopicity, which results in low-viscosity solutions. It is commonly used in the purification of viruses and nucleic acids. In contrast, iodixanol is a non-ionic, highly viscous substance that is often gentler on particles with lipid membranes, such as cells and extracellular vesicles.

Technical Documents

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