Application of magnetic techniques in the field of drug discovery and biomedicine

Abstract

Magnetic separation technology, using magnetic particles, is quick and easy method for sensitive and reliable capture of specific proteins, genetic material and other biomolecules. The technique offers an advantage in terms of subjecting the analyte to very little mechanical stress compared to other methods. Secondly, these methods are non-laborious, cheap and often highly scalable. Moreover, techniques employing magnetism are more amenable to automation and miniaturization. Now that the human genome is sequenced and about 30,000 genes are annotated, the next step is to identify the function of these individual genes, carrying out genotyping studies for allelic variation and SNP analysis, ultimately leading to identification of novel drug targets. In this post-genomic era, technologies based on magnetic separation are becoming an integral part of todays biology laboratory. This article briefly reviews the selected applications of magnetic separation techniques in the field of biotechnology, biomedicine and drug discovery.

Use of magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) monosize beads for the purification of lysozyme in batch system

“…Micron-sized magnetic beads are currently enjoying a fairly ample range of applications in many fields including among others biotechnology, biochemistry, colloid sciences and medicine [26][27][28]. The magnetic character implies that they respond to a magnet, making sampling and collection easier and faster, but their magnetization disappears once the magnetic field is removed.…”

Anorganische Nanopartikel zum Transport von Nucleinsäuren in Zellen

“…B. nach der Dosisabhängigkeit und dem Risiko einer Bildung bakterieller Resistenzen. [115] 4 [116][117][118][119] Wenn sie einem hochfrequenten magnetischen Wechselfeld ausgesetzt werden, können sie das umgebende Gewebe durch Hyperthermie zerstören. [117,120] Die Führung durch externe Magnetfelder im Körper kann beispielsweise zur Adressierung von Tumoren dienen.…”

Field induced rotational viscosity of ferrofluid: Effect of capillary size and magnetic field direction

“…Remote control of the fluid flow by an externally applied magnetic field leads to certain attractive applications in biomedicine and biotechnology [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) and magnetic cell separation (MCS) are the two examples of such applications [8].…”