PBMC isolation capabilities
Medicover Integrated Clinical Services offers comprehensive global solutions for PBMC processing, storage, and diagnostics, ensuring high-quality data and supporting clinical trials with expert guidance and optimized study design based on extensive laboratory experience.
Executive summary
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are essential in immunological studies, playing a central role in research involving vaccines, oncology, autoimmune diseases, cell-based therapies, immune monitoring, and biomarker analysis. High-quality PBMC isolation and preservation are critical for data reliability.
At Medicover Integrated Clinical Services, we offer specialized PBMC processing, storage, and diagnostic services available globally to support your clinical trial needs. We also provide expert guidance on optimizing study design using PBMC protocols, leveraging our laboratory team’s extensive experience.
Main PBMC Services
We utilize advanced techniques to ensure high yield and purity of PBMCs. The approach always depends on the client’s specific needs.
Cell Preparation Tubes
Principle: CPT tubes are specialized blood collection tubes pre-loaded with a density gradient medium (usually Ficoll) and a gel barrier.
Workflow: Blood is drawn directly into the CPT tube, then centrifuged. The gel moves during centrifugation to create a physical barrier between PBMCs and other blood components, simplifying collection.
Lymphosep Tubes
Principle: CPT tubes are specialized blood collection tubes pre-loaded with a density gradient medium (usually Ficoll) and a gel barrier.
Workflow: Blood is drawn directly into the CPT tube, then centrifuged. The gel moves during centrifugation to create a physical barrier between PBMCs and other blood components, simplifying collection.
Ficoll-Based Density Gradient Centrifugation
Manual method
Principle: Ficoll-Paque or similar media create a density barrier that separates mononuclear cells based on buoyant density
Workflow: Blood is layered over Ficoll solution in a centrifuge tube, centrifuged, then the PBMC layer at the interface is carefully collected
Main features:
Other PBMC Services
At Medicover Integrated Clinical Services, we specialize in delivering comprehensive PBMC solutions around the world, tailored to the needs of biotech, pharma, and CRO partners.
Cryopreservation & Storage
Contract development of processing methodology for PBMC Isolation
Use of validated cryoprotective agents
Storage at -80°C (Mechanical Freezer)
- Use: Short- to medium-term storage (days to a few weeks).
- How: PBMCs are typically cryopreserved in a freezing medium (e.g., 10% DMSO + 90% FBS or serum-containing media), then gradually cooled (usually with a controlled-rate freezing container like Mr. Frosty) before placing at -80°C.
Storage in Liquid Nitrogen (-196°C)
- Use: Long-term storage (months to years).
- How: After controlled-rate freezing, PBMCs are transferred into vapor phase of nitrogen tanks
Long-term biobanking with full traceability
Long-term biobanking with full traceability
Viability Assurance
Post-thaw cell viability assessments
Monitoring of yield, purity, and morphology
Ensuring suitability for downstream applications (e.g., flow cytometry, ELISPOT)
Logistics Support
Express shipment of newly collected samples to our processing labs
Global Validated cold chain with dry-ice shippers and tracking
Time-sensitive handling compliant with IATA and study-specific requirements
Logistic capabilities: 4 hrs/ 8 hrs/ 24 hrs.
Customized Research Support
Assisting in experimental design, biomarker analysis, and data interpretation
Regulatory Compliance & Documentation
Ensuring all PBMC handling, and research activities adhere to rigorous ethical and regulatory standards
Aligned with GCLP/GLP standards
Detailed chain of custody and sample tracking
Audit-ready documentation
Applications Supported
Immuno-oncology and vaccine research
Longitudinal studies requiring viable cells
Functional assays
(e.g., T-cell response, cytokine profiling)
Gene expression and transcriptomics
Biomarker discovery and validation
Why Choose Medicover MICS?
Expert guidance on optimizing study design using PBMC protocols, leveraging our laboratory team’s extensive experience
Integrated sample management, lab and logistics teams for end-to-end support
Access to a network of regional laboratories and sites (Medicover Group Network)
Experience in supporting multi-country clinical trials
PhD-Led Project Management
Custom collections set assembling and logistics
Stringent QA oversight and documentation
Collaboration with CROs, Pharma, and Biotech globally
Contact Us
Looking to integrate high-quality PBMC processing into your trial?
Let’s discuss how we can support your study.
We respond within 24 hours.