Extracting high-quality primary cells from bone marrow is essential in many research and clinical applications, including immunology, regenerative medicine, and drug development. The accuracy of cell isolation from bone marrow directly affects the viability, yield, and downstream results. While traditional methods rely heavily on manual filtration or basic strainers, advanced tools like Lab Cell Strainers—specifically UberStrainers—are changing the way laboratories prepare single-cell suspensions from complex tissues.
This article outlines the step-by-step process of preparing primary cells from bone marrow using UberStrainers, highlights the value of using optimized filtration tools, and explores how UberStrainers improve cell recovery, reduce contamination, and support consistent outcomes.
Why Efficient Filtration Matters in Bone Marrow Processing
Bone marrow contains a mix of red blood cells, white blood cells, stromal elements, fat, and bone fragments. When isolating mononuclear or progenitor cells, researchers need a technique that separates useful cell populations from debris without damaging fragile structures. Filtration plays a major role in this.
Using a cell strainer helps produce a uniform single-cell suspension that’s free from bone fragments and clumps. However, the tool used for this filtration determines how well the final sample is suited for applications like flow cytometry, magnetic sorting, or cell culture.
What Sets UberStrainers Apart
UberStrainers are modular, reusable, and customizable lab cell strainers that allow for efficient tissue processing. Unlike single-use plastic filters, UberStrainers offer a layered design that accommodates different mesh sizes, enabling step-wise separation of unwanted material while preserving viable cells. This is especially useful when working with difficult tissue types like bone marrow, where both large debris and fine cell populations coexist in the same sample.
Their compatibility with centrifugation, flexible mesh options (such as 70 µm cell strainer, 40 µm cell strainer, and cell strainer 100 µm), and ease of assembly make UberStrainers suitable for both research labs and industrial-scale cell preparation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Primary Cells from Bone Marrow
Here’s how to prepare high-quality primary cells from bone marrow using UberStrainers.
Step 1: Bone Marrow Extraction
Begin by harvesting bone marrow from the long bones of a donor organism (e.g., mice, rats, or other animal models). Flush the bone using a syringe filled with sterile buffer such as PBS or RPMI, expelling the contents into a clean tube.
At this stage, the suspension contains intact marrow, bone particles, blood cells, and extracellular matrix material.
Step 2: Pre-Filtration Using Cell Strainer 100 µm
To remove large debris such as bone fragments, cartilage, and fat, process the sample through a cell strainer 100 µm. With UberStrainers, this step can be conducted directly over a conical tube or via vacuum/centrifuge-based setup. This ensures that oversized particles do not interfere with later steps.
This first filtration step clears the way for finer separation by removing the majority of non-cellular debris.
Step 3: Secondary Filtration with 70 µm Cell Strainer
Pass the initial filtrate through a 70 µm cell strainer. At this point, the sample still contains erythrocytes, stromal cells, and immature white blood cells. The 70 µm mesh helps eliminate additional connective tissue and fat clumps that the 100 µm filter did not catch.
UberStrainers simplify this process by allowing researchers to insert a new mesh layer into the same device body without needing to switch containers or create a mess. This minimizes transfer loss.
Step 4: Final Filtration Using 40 µm Cell Strainer
For applications requiring a very fine single-cell suspension—such as flow cytometry, FACS sorting, or microfluidics—the 40 µm cell strainer ensures that the suspension is free of residual clumps and dead cell aggregates.
At this point, the suspension is composed mostly of mononuclear cells, progenitors, and other viable cell populations ready for downstream use. The use of UberStrainers allows quick switching to a finer mesh without compromising sterility or losing material in the process.
Integrating Cascade Straining with UberStrainers
One of the advanced methods for optimizing filtration workflows is cascade straining, where a sample is passed through multiple filters of decreasing mesh size in a structured sequence. UberStrainers are ideal for this, as their stackable design supports multi-layer straining within a single unit or sequential runs with minimal manual handling.
For bone marrow cell preparation, cascade straining using 100 µm, 70 µm, and 40 µm meshes ensures a gradual refinement of the sample. This approach improves the clarity of the cell population while preserving cell viability.
How UberStrainers Improve Particle Separation Techniques
Particle separation in tissue digests is not only about removing large debris. It also involves maintaining the shape and function of cells during the process. Traditional filters can damage sensitive cells due to rough edges or uneven mesh quality.
UberStrainers support more controlled particle separation techniques by offering precision-woven meshes and smooth, non-reactive surfaces. Each pore size is optimized to allow target particles to pass while trapping unwanted materials.
This is particularly important in studies requiring highly defined populations, such as hematopoietic stem cells, T cells, or dendritic cells. The clearer the sample, the better the results in cell sorting and culture.
Applications and Benefits
Primary cells isolated from bone marrow are used in a wide range of studies and therapeutic research. UberStrainers help labs achieve clean, reproducible suspensions that serve these purposes efficiently.
Benefits Include:
Higher yield of viable primary cells


Reduced processing time due to fewer transfer steps


Minimized contamination risk with closed or semi-closed workflows


Support for automation in labs looking to scale cell processing


Applications Include:
Hematopoietic stem cell research


Immunophenotyping


Bone marrow transplantation studies


Cancer and leukemia modeling


Cytokine production assays


The modular nature of UberStrainers makes them suitable for both small-scale academic projects and high-throughput industrial settings.
Streamlining Cell Separation with Lab Cell Strainers
In the field of cell separation, consistency is everything. Even minor variations in sample preparation can lead to fluctuations in downstream results. This is where UberStrainers excel.
Their ability to combine various mesh sizes in a single device ensures that cells are filtered in a structured manner. Unlike conventional methods that require multiple devices or tools, UberStrainers reduce complexity and waste.
They also enable gentle filtration, preserving surface proteins and minimizing mechanical damage—key considerations for sensitive primary cells.
Conclusion
Efficiently preparing primary cells from bone marrow requires more than just flushing and filtering—it demands tools that ensure quality at each step. Lab Cell Strainers like UberStrainers offer an all-in-one solution that simplifies the workflow while maintaining sample integrity. By integrating steps like cascade straining, controlled filtration, and support for particle separation techniques, UberStrainers stand out as a superior option for labs handling primary tissues.
From initial debris removal to final preparation for analysis, UberStrainers enable labs to extract high-quality cells with less effort and greater consistency. Whether using a 40 µm cell strainer for final refinement or a cell strainer 100 µm to start the process, the modular system gives researchers the flexibility and confidence to deliver reliable results.
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