Which method is commonly used for isolating specific cell populations from whole blood?

Density gradient centrifugation is a widely accepted method for isolating specific cell populations from whole blood due to its effectiveness in separating cells based on their density. This method involves layering the blood sample over a density gradient medium, such as Ficoll or Percoll, and then centrifuging it. During centrifugation, different cell types migrate to distinct layers according to their density, allowing for the separation of specific populations, such as lymphocytes or monocytes, from the rest of the blood components such as plasma and red blood cells.

The technique is favored because it preserves cell viability and functionality, making it suitable for various downstream applications, such as flow cytometry, cell culture, or functional assays. The isolation of cells using this method can be particularly important in research and clinical settings where the purity of cell populations is crucial for accurate results.

Other methods mentioned do not serve the purpose of isolating specific cell populations effectively. Microcentrifugation is primarily used for spinning small volumes of samples and does not provide the same level of separation based on cell density. Refrigeration is a method for preserving samples but does not contribute to isolating specific cell types. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used for amplifying DNA and does not have