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Efficient sorting methods are required for the isolation of cellular subpopulations in basic science and translational applications. Despite this, throughputs, yields, viabilities, and processing times of common sorting methods like fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) are underreported. In the current study, we set out to quantify the ability of these sorting methods to separate defined mixtures of alkaline phosphatase liver/bone/kidney (ALPL)-expressing and non-expressing cell types. Results showed that initial MACS runs performed using manufacturer’s recommended antibody and microbead concentrations produced inaccurate ALPL+ vs. ALPL− cell splits compared to FACS when ALPL+ cells were present in larger proportions (>~25%). Accuracy at all proportions could be achieved by using substantially higher concentrations of labeling reagents. Importantly, MACS sorts resulted in only 7–9% cell loss compared to ~70% cell loss for FACS. Additionally, MACS processing was 4–6 times faster than FACS for single, low proportion samples but took similar time for single, high-proportion samples. When processing multiple samples, MACS was always faster overall due to its ability to run samples in parallel. Average cell viability for all groups remained high (>83%), regardless of sorting method. Despite requiring substantial optimization, the ability of MACS to isolate increased cell numbers in less time than FACS may prove valuable in both basic science and translational, cell-based applications.

 

The 2018 BMES Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) Conference was organized around the theme of Discovering the Keys: Transformative and Translational Mechanobiology. The conference programming included a panel discussion on Translating Mechanobiology to the Clinic. The goal of the panel was to initiate a dialogue and share pearls of wisdom from participants’ successes and failures in academia and in industry toward translating scientific discoveries in mechanobiology to technology products in the market or toward devices or drugs that impact clinical care. This commentary reviews the major themes and questions discussed during the panel, including defining translational research and how it applies to mechanobiology, the current landscape in translational mechanobiology, the process for translating mechanobiology research, challenges in translating mechanobiology research, and unique opportunities in translating mechanobiology research.