Frequently Asked Questions
qEV columns are intended to be used no more than 5 times, with a cleaning step between each use. You can find the cleaning instructions in the respective qEV column’s User Manual.
qEV columns should be cleaned/flushed between uses according to protocols in the relevant qEV user manual. If you have one of our customised large-scale columns, we can repack your column for repeated use.
No, qEV columns are not sterile. After production, all qEV columns are equilibrated in filtered PBS containing <0.1% ProClin 200, a common microbial control agent. For cGMP applications, GMP-ready qEV columns are manufactured using aseptic process methods and controls.
Yes. Fluorescent labels and antibodies are much smaller than EVs, so any free label or antibody can be separated from EVs. The qEV isolation platform is widely used for removing unbound labels and antibodies.
qEV columns are designed and manufactured under a quality system certified to ISO 13485:2016.
- qEVsingle: 20 Columns
- qEVoriginal: 5 or 100 Columns
- qEV1: 5 Columns
- qEV2: 2 Columns
- qEV10: Sold individually
- qEV100: Sold individually
qEV columns come in three series – 20 nm, 35 nm and 70 nm – named after the pore size of the resin used. Each series offers a different balance of particle recovery and purity: the 20 nm series maximises recovery, the 35 nm series balances recovery and purity, and the 70 nm series delivers the purest EV isolates with the highest level of lipoprotein depletion.
This trade-off comes down to size exclusion chromatography: larger particles like EVs pass around the resin beads and elute first, while proteins and other small molecules detour through the pores and trail behind. Larger pores trap more of these small molecules (leading to purer isolates); smaller pores trap fewer (leading to higher recovery, including smaller EVs). For more information, visit the qEV series comparison page or get in touch with the team for more guidance.
Choose your qEV column size based on your sample loading volume. To choose your column type, you will need to consider whether you would prefer to prioritise particle recovery or particle purity. Visit the qEV series comparison page to compare qEV series. If you are still unsure, reach out to our friendly support staff for guidance.
There are many different types of blood collection tube available and the anticoagulant present in the tube can affect the functionality and quantity of EVs present in blood products. Anticoagulant choice is therefore dependent upon circumstance and application; to learn more, read this article about choosing a blood collection tube for EV research.
No. The column length is not long enough to achieve this type of resolution effectively.
Yes. Depending on the size of the resin pores, particles that are smaller than the pores will enter the resin and their progress through the column will be slowed. Hence, these particles may appear in later fractions. Columns have been optimised to reduce this as much as possible.
Load the column with PBS containing a bactericide or bacteriostatic agent (e.g., 0.05% w/v sodium azide or 0.05% ProClin 200), or 20% ethanol. Column cleaning and storage instructions are provided in qEV User Manuals.
The type you choose will depend on the sensitivity required for your application. We recommend a chromogenic protein assay for protein quantification, such as a Bradford, Lowry or BCA assay.
Yes, we have a range of technical and application notes available at the Izon Support Centre; you can also browse our website for deep-dives into special considerations for the isolation of EVs from blood (including guidance on which anticoagulant to use) urine, CSF, and reproductive tract fluids.
Most ‘raw’ samples cannot be directly run on qEV columns without prior preparation steps to remove large particulate matter. qEV user manuals provide recommendations on how to prepare your sample appropriately.
Yes — we don't want price to be a barrier to scale-up. qEVoriginal columns are available in bulk packs of 100 for a discounted price, and volume discounts can be arranged across all column types for large orders. Get in touch with our friendly sales team for more information on bulk pricing.
The following qEV columns can be used with the AFC: qEVsingle, qEVoriginal, qEV1, qEV2 and qEV10. The qEV100 and larger customised qEV columns are not AFC-compatible.
Absolutely. We have solved particle isolation workflows for every scale and are happy to work with you on your unique situation. We love building new partnerships and collaborations aimed at advancing EV-based and other nanomedicine applications.
Eluted volumes containing your particles of interest will vary in composition based on the sample, sample preparation and column type. You will need to study the protein and EV content of your fractions and identify which portion is optimal to collect. This will vary depending on whether you would prefer to maximise isolate purity or particle recovery. Typical EV elution profiles for human plasma samples can be found in qEV User Manuals and may serve as a useful starting point.
Selecting the optimal column size for your sample volume is important for maximising the purity of EVs in your sample. Loading a sample volume higher than what is recommended results in a lower level of purity in later vesicle-containing volumes, a greater overlap between protein and EV elution peaks, and a higher protein peak within the purified containing volume. Loading a sample volume lower than what is recommended results in a higher dilution factor of the sample. Check the optimal recommended sample volume for your qEV column.
Gen 2 qEV columns are built with a novel, high-performance agarose resin which provides a more purified EV-containing sample, compared to the resin previously used in our earlier (now discontinued) Legacy columns. This legacy-style resin is still used by some other providers in the market today, meaning Izon's Gen 2 resin offers a level of purification performance that has moved beyond the industry standard.
GMP-ready qEV columns are manufactured and quality-controlled to support use in GMP-regulated environments. Although qEV users are still responsible for regulatory compliance and related risk assessments, the additional measures put in place for GMP-ready column production provide a good starting point if you are working in GMP environments. GMP-ready qEV columns are filled using aseptic methods, with final sanitisation steps performed in a laminar flow cabinet that provides a local environment meeting the ISO Class 7 (Class 10,000) clean room Non-Viable Particulate (NVP) standard. Each batch also undergoes additional cleaning steps and rigorous quality control testing for bioburden and endotoxin levels, against strict targets that must be met before release.
Up to 24 qEVsingle, qEVoriginal or qEV1 columns can be processed by the qEV DXter, our robotic automated liquid handling instrument for parallel processing. To learn more visit the qEV DXter webpage.
The qEV2, qEV10, qEV100 and larger customised columns can be processed by the qEV Zenco, our automated chromatography system for purifying samples. To learn more visit the Zenco webpage.
qEV columns are intended to be used no more than 5 times, with a cleaning step between each use. You can find the cleaning instructions in the respective qEV column’s User Manual.
qEV columns should be cleaned/flushed between uses according to protocols in the relevant qEV user manual. If you have one of our customised large-scale columns, we can repack your column for repeated use.
No, qEV columns are not sterile. After production, all qEV columns are equilibrated in filtered PBS containing <0.1% ProClin 200, a common microbial control agent. For cGMP applications, GMP-ready qEV columns are manufactured using aseptic process methods and controls.
Yes. Fluorescent labels and antibodies are much smaller than EVs, so any free label or antibody can be separated from EVs. The qEV isolation platform is widely used for removing unbound labels and antibodies.
qEV columns are designed and manufactured under a quality system certified to ISO 13485:2016.
- qEVsingle: 20 Columns
- qEVoriginal: 5 or 100 Columns
- qEV1: 5 Columns
- qEV2: 2 Columns
- qEV10: Sold individually
- qEV100: Sold individually
qEV columns come in three series – 20 nm, 35 nm and 70 nm – named after the pore size of the resin used. Each series offers a different balance of particle recovery and purity: the 20 nm series maximises recovery, the 35 nm series balances recovery and purity, and the 70 nm series delivers the purest EV isolates with the highest level of lipoprotein depletion.
This trade-off comes down to size exclusion chromatography: larger particles like EVs pass around the resin beads and elute first, while proteins and other small molecules detour through the pores and trail behind. Larger pores trap more of these small molecules (leading to purer isolates); smaller pores trap fewer (leading to higher recovery, including smaller EVs). For more information, visit the qEV series comparison page or get in touch with the team for more guidance.
Choose your qEV column size based on your sample loading volume. To choose your column type, you will need to consider whether you would prefer to prioritise particle recovery or particle purity. Visit the qEV series comparison page to compare qEV series. If you are still unsure, reach out to our friendly support staff for guidance.
Gen 2 qEV columns are built with a novel, high-performance agarose resin which provides a more purified EV-containing sample, compared to the resin previously used in our earlier (now discontinued) Legacy columns. This legacy-style resin is still used by some other providers in the market today, meaning Izon's Gen 2 resin offers a level of purification performance that has moved beyond the industry standard.
GMP-ready qEV columns are manufactured and quality-controlled to support use in GMP-regulated environments. Although qEV users are still responsible for regulatory compliance and related risk assessments, the additional measures put in place for GMP-ready column production provide a good starting point if you are working in GMP environments. GMP-ready qEV columns are filled using aseptic methods, with final sanitisation steps performed in a laminar flow cabinet that provides a local environment meeting the ISO Class 7 (Class 10,000) clean room Non-Viable Particulate (NVP) standard. Each batch also undergoes additional cleaning steps and rigorous quality control testing for bioburden and endotoxin levels, against strict targets that must be met before release.
Up to 24 qEVsingle, qEVoriginal or qEV1 columns can be processed by the qEV DXter, our robotic automated liquid handling instrument for parallel processing. To learn more visit the qEV DXter webpage.
The qEV2, qEV10, qEV100 and larger customised columns can be processed by the qEV Zenco, our automated chromatography system for purifying samples. To learn more visit the Zenco webpage.
qEV columns are intended to be used no more than 5 times, with a cleaning step between each use. You can find the cleaning instructions in the respective qEV column’s User Manual.
qEV columns should be cleaned/flushed between uses according to protocols in the relevant qEV user manual. If you have one of our customised large-scale columns, we can repack your column for repeated use.
Yes. Fluorescent labels and antibodies are much smaller than EVs, so any free label or antibody can be separated from EVs. The qEV isolation platform is widely used for removing unbound labels and antibodies.
qEV columns are designed and manufactured under a quality system certified to ISO 13485:2016.
Choose your qEV column size based on your sample loading volume. To choose your column type, you will need to consider whether you would prefer to prioritise particle recovery or particle purity. Visit the qEV series comparison page to compare qEV series. If you are still unsure, reach out to our friendly support staff for guidance.
There are many different types of blood collection tube available and the anticoagulant present in the tube can affect the functionality and quantity of EVs present in blood products. Anticoagulant choice is therefore dependent upon circumstance and application; to learn more, read this article about choosing a blood collection tube for EV research.
No. The column length is not long enough to achieve this type of resolution effectively.
Yes. Depending on the size of the resin pores, particles that are smaller than the pores will enter the resin and their progress through the column will be slowed. Hence, these particles may appear in later fractions. Columns have been optimised to reduce this as much as possible.
Load the column with PBS containing a bactericide or bacteriostatic agent (e.g., 0.05% w/v sodium azide or 0.05% ProClin 200), or 20% ethanol. Column cleaning and storage instructions are provided in qEV User Manuals.
The type you choose will depend on the sensitivity required for your application. We recommend a chromogenic protein assay for protein quantification, such as a Bradford, Lowry or BCA assay.
Yes, we have a range of technical and application notes available at the Izon Support Centre; you can also browse our website for deep-dives into special considerations for the isolation of EVs from blood (including guidance on which anticoagulant to use) urine, CSF, and reproductive tract fluids.
Most ‘raw’ samples cannot be directly run on qEV columns without prior preparation steps to remove large particulate matter. qEV user manuals provide recommendations on how to prepare your sample appropriately.
Eluted volumes containing your particles of interest will vary in composition based on the sample, sample preparation and column type. You will need to study the protein and EV content of your fractions and identify which portion is optimal to collect. This will vary depending on whether you would prefer to maximise isolate purity or particle recovery. Typical EV elution profiles for human plasma samples can be found in qEV User Manuals and may serve as a useful starting point.
Selecting the optimal column size for your sample volume is important for maximising the purity of EVs in your sample. Loading a sample volume higher than what is recommended results in a lower level of purity in later vesicle-containing volumes, a greater overlap between protein and EV elution peaks, and a higher protein peak within the purified containing volume. Loading a sample volume lower than what is recommended results in a higher dilution factor of the sample. Check the optimal recommended sample volume for your qEV column.
Yes — we don't want price to be a barrier to scale-up. qEVoriginal columns are available in bulk packs of 100 for a discounted price, and volume discounts can be arranged across all column types for large orders. Get in touch with our friendly sales team for more information on bulk pricing.
The following qEV columns can be used with the AFC: qEVsingle, qEVoriginal, qEV1, qEV2 and qEV10. The qEV100 and larger customised qEV columns are not AFC-compatible.