Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) is a method used to isolate cells from a complex sample, e.g. biological specimens, cell culture, or environmental matrices. Paramagnetic beads, coated with antibodies, will bind to antigens present on the surface of target cells. A magnet is then applied to the sample tube and the IMS particle-target cell complex is pulled toward the magnet, concentrating and isolating the target cells. Later, the IMS particles can be detached from the target cells, which can be visualized and identified through immunofluorescence and DIC microscopy.
Waterborne Grab™ beads are designed for use in the capture and isolation of Giardia spp. cysts, or Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The beads are provided as a monodisperse, stable suspension of super-paramagnetic particles that measure approximately 1.4-1.6 um in diameter.
The IMS-Grab™ Bead kits are designed for use in the IMS protocol contained in US EPA Methods 1622, 1623, and 1623.1. However, at this time, our IMS-Grab™ Bead kits have not yet been EPA-validated. The dissociation step caled for in the EPA methods may be omitted if separation of the IMS particles from the parasites is unnecessary.
Crypto-Grab™ beads are coated with a monoclonal IgM antibody for the isolation of oocysts of Cryptosporidium.
he Aqua-Glo™ kit is designed to detect the cyst and oocyst stages of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum in particulates isolated from water and other environmental samples utilizing the principle of direct immunofluorescence.
The antibody reagent consists of a mixture of fluorescein-labeled mouse monoclonal antibodies made to cyst and oocyst outer wall antigenic sites (epitopes) of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum. This reagent is genus-specific and will bind only to the cysts and oocysts of these two parasites if they are present. The reagent shows varying degrees of cross-reactivity with cysts and oocysts of other species of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The cysts and/or oocysts will appear bright apple green when viewed under a fluorescence microscope using the appropriate filters for fluorescein. This antibody cross-reacts with some species of algae.
Reagent only kit can preform 75+ assays and includes: