Characterization of cell detachment from hollow fiber affinity membranes
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
Published on: March 26, 2018
C E Orsello1, D A Lauffenburger, C K Colton
1Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Room 66-457, 77 Mass. Ave., MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Abstract:
Hollow fiber affinity membranes have potential for use in cell separations because they offer many advantages over currently available techniques. An understanding of the parameters controlling cell attachment and detachment from the surface is vital to the success of the separation. Cell attachment was probed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which revealed that gravity settling must be used to bring the cells to the surface of the membrane, because forward pressurization caused cells to infiltrate the pores of the membranes. Fluorescence microscopy studies showed that viable target cells could be recovered from the surface through the use of either back pressurization or liquid drainage and that 98% of the cells could be recovered from the surface through the sequential use of both. This ability to reproducibly detach target cells from the surface suggests that cell recovery will not be a limiting factor for cell separations with hollow fiber membranes.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Types of Membrane Protrusions
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections with a...
Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Membrane Fluidity
Dialysis

