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

在胶体和聚合物科学、细胞生物学和成像、结构生物学和再生医学的研究过程中，来自蒙特利尔四所学术机构的六名研究人员迫切需要一种分析分离系统，该系统能够在适合软材料的温和条件下处理大（微米尺寸）和小（纳米尺寸）组分的样品混合物。非对称场流分馏（AFFF）系统的应用是对具有该功能的系统进行协调研究的结果。AFFF是一种创新的分离方法，它基于无固定相的开放流道中胶体的尺寸相关扩散系数。因此，它提供了一种独特的方法，以快速和温和的方式分离和表征从1 KDa到1,000,000 KDa的聚合物（蛋白质，肽，多糖…）和从1 nm到500 μ m（~ 5个数量级）的水或有机介质中的颗粒。访问AFFF有望解决申请人研究小组当前的几个尖锐的技术问题，并大大加快他们的研究计划的进展。

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.