Thermoseparating aqueous two-phase systems: Recent trends and mechanisms
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Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Cell Co-culture Patterning Using Aqueous Two-phase Systems
Published on: March 26, 2013
Yoong Kit Leong1, John Chi-Wei Lan2, Hwei-San Loh3
1Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Having the benefits of being environmentally friendly, providing a mild environment for bioseparation, and scalability, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) have increasingly caught the attention of industry and researchers for their application in the isolation and recovery of bioproducts. The limitations of conventional ATPSs give rise to the development of temperature-induced ATPSs that have distinctive thermoseparating properties and easy recyclability. This review starts with a brief introduction to thermoseparating ATPSs, including its history, unique characteristics and advantages, and lastly, key factors that influence partitioning. The underlying mechanism of temperature-induced ATPSs is covered together with a summary of recent applications. Thermoseparating ATPSs have been proven as a solution to the demand for economically favorable and environmentally friendly industrial-scale bioextraction and purification techniques.
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