Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) is an advanced technique for exosome purification that efficiently isolates exosomes based on molecular size differences while preserving their integrity and bioactivity. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles with diameters of approximately 30–150 nm, rich in proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other important bioactive molecules. They are widely present in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, and play essential roles in cell communication, disease progression, and drug delivery. However, the presence of abundant proteins, lipids, and other particulate contaminants in biological fluids makes the precise isolation of exosomes a major challenge in exosome research.

 

As a gentle separation method that avoids high shear forces and intense centrifugation, SEC effectively preserves the structural integrity of exosomes, making it particularly suitable for studies requiring highly pure and functionally intact exosomes. MtoZ Biolabs offers high-quality Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service that leverages an advanced SEC-based separation platform and extensive expertise in exosome analysis to support precise and reliable exosome research for global clients.

 

Technical Principles

Our Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service utilizes a gentle physical method that separates molecules according to size. By using chromatography columns packed with porous gel beads, exosomes are effectively separated from small molecular contaminants such as serum proteins and salts. Due to their larger size, exosomes are unable to enter the pores of the gel and thus flow along the exterior of the column matrix, eluting first. In contrast, smaller molecules penetrate the pores and are retained longer, eluting later, which results in high-purity exosome isolation. As illustrated in Figure 1, exosomes and small molecular impurities are separated within the gel column based on size exclusion. This process preserves the structural and biological integrity of exosomes while avoiding the potential damage caused by ultracentrifugation or other high-stress methods.

 

 

Liu, W. Z. et al. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2022.

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification

 

Analysis Workflow

To ensure both the purity and bioactivity of exosomes, MtoZ Biolabs' Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service follows a scientifically standardized workflow that includes the following key steps:

1. Sample pretreatment: Removal of large-particle impurities through gradient centrifugation and microfiltration.

2. Chromatographic system equilibration: Pre-equilibration of high-performance separation columns with suitable buffers.

3. Sample loading and elution: Separation of target exosomes under optimized flow rate conditions.

4. Fraction collection: Precise collection of exosome-enriched fractions based on UV absorbance characteristics.

5. Quality assessment: Comprehensive quality control using multimodal detection methods, including particle size analysis, marker validation, and morphological characterization, to ensure research-grade quality of exosome products.

 

Service Advantages

MtoZ Biolabs' Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service is built on an advanced platform and technical expertise and offers the following key advantages to meet diverse research and clinical requirements:

✅ High purity: Efficient removal of protein contaminants and small molecules to yield highly pure exosomes.

✅ Gentle and non-destructive: Avoids the structural damage often caused by ultracentrifugation, preserving exosomes in their natural functional state.

✅ Excellent batch-to-batch consistency: Standardized protocols ensure consistent exosome quality across different batches.

✅ Broad sample compatibility: Suitable for a wide range of complex biological fluids, including serum, plasma, urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid.

✅  One-Time-Charge: Our pricing is transparent, no hidden fees or additional costs.

✅ Customized Service: Tailored to the specific research needs of our clients, we offer flexible experimental design and personalized data analysis to ensure the achievement of research goals to the fullest extent.

 

Applications

The Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service provides high-standard exosome samples for various research fields and is widely applicable to:

· Exosome biomarker discovery: Early disease screening and prognosis evaluation (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders).

· Exosome-based drug delivery system development: Design and validation of innovative nanomedicine platforms.

· Exosome mechanism research: Investigation of exosome-mediated intercellular communication and signal transduction pathways.

· Translational medicine: Development of personalized therapeutic strategies based on exosomes.

· Vaccines and immunotherapy: Engineered exosomes for antigen delivery and immune activation.

 

Case Study

Case 1: SEC facilitates high-purity urinary exosome isolation

This study compared the performance of Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Ultracentrifugation (UC) in purifying urinary exosomes. Results demonstrated that SEC outperforms UC in maintaining exosome integrity and in removing high-abundance contaminants such as urinary proteins. The exosomes purified by SEC exhibited higher bioactivity and superior protein retention. Furthermore, SEC-purified exosomes are better suited for downstream applications such as proteomics and functional analysis, making them valuable for biomarker discovery and mechanistic research.

 

 

Guan, S. et al. J. Proteome Res. 2020.

 

This case highlights SEC as a superior method for exosome purification from biological fluids like urine. MtoZ Biolabs offers Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service to support researchers in obtaining high-quality exosomes for diverse applications, including biomarker studies, non-invasive diagnostics, and functional experiments.

 

FAQ

Q1: What are the advantages of SEC-based exosome isolation compared to ultracentrifugation?

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) based exosome purification does not require ultrahigh-speed centrifugation, thereby avoiding mechanical stress that may cause exosome disruption or functional loss. SEC preserves the natural conformation and biological activity of exosomes while efficiently removing contaminants such as serum proteins, resulting in high-purity exosomes ideal for functional and mechanistic studies.

Q2: Is SEC-based exosome isolation equally effective for different types of biological fluids?

Exosomes derived from various biological fluids (e.g., plasma, urine) may differ in complexity and background components. Therefore, the SEC isolation protocol is optimized according to specific sample characteristics, including adjustments to column types and elution buffers, to ensure optimal purity and recovery. We offer tailored optimization strategies to ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility for different sample types.

 

MtoZ Biolabs not only provides high-efficiency Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) based Exosome Purification Service but also offers a range of exosome isolation and purification solutions, including ultracentrifugation-based, microfiltration-based, and immunoaffinity-based methods, to meet various research needs at different stages. Equipped with cutting-edge instruments, standardized workflows, and a highly experienced technical team, MtoZ Biolabs delivers high-quality, customized exosome solutions that support the advancement of both scientific research and industrial applications. Contact us to discuss personalized service plans.