Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)

Fast, Efficient Biomolecule Processing

Tangential flow filtration (TFF) is a rapid and efficient method for separation and purification of biomolecules. It can be applied to a wide range of biological fields such as immunology, protein chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, and microbiology. TFF can be used to concentrate and desalt sample solutions ranging in volume from 10 milliliters to thousands of liters. It can be used to fractionate large from small biomolecules, harvest cell suspensions, and clarify fermentation broths and cell lysates.

In TFF, liquid is pumped across the membrane surface, minimizing fouling by sweeping retained molecules off the surface. Filtration is achieved by creating pressure against the membrane in the retentate stream, causing solute and small molecules to pass through the membrane. TFF is used in larger-scale laboratory separations such as cell harvesting or protein isolation from culture supernatants. It is also commonly used in pilot-scale industrial operations and scaled up to full production.

Why Use Tangential Flow Filtration?

1. Easy to set up and use – Simply connect the TFF device to a pump and pressure gauge(s) with tubing and a few fittings, add your sample to the reservoir and begin filtration.
2. Fast and efficient – It is easier to set up and much faster than dialysis. Higher concentrations can be achieved in less time than when using centrifugal devices or stirred cells.
3. Perform two steps with one system – Concentrate and diafilter a sample on the same system, saving time and avoiding product loss.
4. Can be scaled up or scaled down – Materials of construction and cassette path length allow conditions established during pilot-scale trials to be applied to process-scale applications. TFF devices that can process sample volumes as small as 10 mL or as large as thousands of liters are available.
5. Economical – TFF devices and cassettes can be cleaned and reused, or disposed of after single use. A simple integrity test can be performed to confirm that membrane and seals are intact.

Increase Productivity Using the Minimate Capsule

The Minimate™ TFF system and Minimate capsule work together to process sample volumes up to 1 liter and efficiently concentrate samples to as little as 5 mL. To begin processing, simply plug a Minimate capsule into a Minimate system, add sample, and turn on the pump. Subsequent desalting or buffer exchange steps can be run on the same system with minimal user intervention. Read more ...