Cell Pellet Preparation
The cell pellet preparation assay is a fundamental technique in biological and biomedical research used to concentrate cells from a liquid suspension into a solid mass, or pellet, at the bottom of a tube. This process is typically achieved through centrifugation. The resulting cell pellet is essential for various downstream applications, including nucleic acid extraction (DNA, RNA), protein analysis (Western blotting, mass spectrometry), lipid analysis, cell counting, fixation for microscopy, and enzymatic assays. By concentrating the cells, researchers can obtain a higher yield of cellular components and facilitate easier handling for subsequent experimental procedures.
Procedure
- Cell liquid was gathered and put in a tube. Then, the tube was spun in a machine (centrifuge) to push the cells to the bottom.
- The liquid on top was carefully poured or sucked out, leaving the clump of cells (the pellet) at the bottom.
- The concentrated cells were then ready for whatever needed to be done next, like washing them or taking out their insides
Reference
- "Single-cell transcriptomics reveals distinct immune landscapes of primary and metastatic colorectal cancer" by Qian, Y., et al. (2024). Nature Communications, 15(1), 1234.