Know the purpose of using a micro spin and a mini spin column

Spin Columns are designed to hold up to 900µL volume of resin or buffer. Whether it is a mini spin or a micro spin column, it is can be placed in microcentrifuge tubes of capacity 1.5mL or 2.0mL. These columns can also be used with a Luer-Lok Adapter with a syringe for processing samples. While a syringe is used, sample size, as well as wash volumes, is only restricted by the volume capacity of the syringe. These columns are used with only the small, pre-introduced frit in the case of small volumes of resin.

For applications that involve the requirements of over 100µL of resins, the big frit may be used at either the bottom or top of the resin bed. Resins may be prepared for frequent use when the resin is inserted between the large and small frit.

You would get many benefits when you use a micro spin column. One of the notable benefits of using these columns is that they are the most convenient tools for maneuvering small volumes of affinity supports, usually between 5 and 100 µL, for protein purification.

Some of the beneficial features of these columns include:

·         They are the ideal tools to be used for extremely small resin and sample numbers.

·         They are extremely convenient to use with the column volume of 400 µL and resin volume between 5 and 100 µL.

·         They are available with the highest quality Polyethylene filter with the approximate pore size of 30 µm

·        They come with both press-on bottom caps a well as with O-ring screw top caps.

Another major benefit of using a micro spin column is that it is easy to use. Users are just required to add the sample and affinity resin to one of these micro-spin columns. They can then wash away the contaminants efficiently by making use of a microcentrifuge. They will be capable of eluting their disinfected sample without the loss of resin during the process.

Above all, a micro spin column allows users to disinfect more protein in less time, which makes it suitable to use in a variety of applications.

Whether you are using a micro spin or a mini spin column, you need to follow some procedures to adjust frits in these spin columns. These procedures include:

1. To eliminate a frit, which is placed in the column, you are required to use a spread-out paper clip and introduce the wire through the tip of the column and push the frit.

2. If you want to insert a frit, you need to place the frit inside the micro or mini spin column and push the frit into position by making use of the frit tool.

3. You are required to use an extended paper clip to tip the top frit up if you want to take the top frit away from an already-filled column with a bottom and top frit.  You can then remove the top frit with tweezers.

You are also supposed to follow some general procedures for using a micro spin or a mini spin column during the process of affinity purification.