Asymmetrical field-flow fractionation (AFFF) system for the analysis of polymeric (bio)materials and nano- to micro-sized supramolecular soft assemblies

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In the course of their research projects in colloid and polymer science, cell biology and imaging, structural biology and regenerative medicine, six researchers from four Montreal academic institutions urgently require access to an analytical separation system that is capable of handling sample mixtures with large (micron-size) and small (nm size) components, under gentle conditions appropriate for soft materials.  This application for an asymmetric field flow fractionation  (AFFF) system is the outcome of a concerted search for a system with this capability.  AFFF is an innovative separation method based on the size-dependent diffusion coefficient of colloids in an open flow channel without any stationary phase.  It therefore provides a unique means to separate and characterize in a fast and gentle fashion polymers (proteins, peptides, polysaccharides..) from 1 KDa to 1,000,000 KDa and particles from 1 nm to 500 µm ( ~ 5 orders of magnitude) in aqueous or organic media. Access to an AFFF is expected to solve several current accute technical problems in the applicants research groups and to greatly accelerate progress in their research programs.