Does the type of rotor and tubes I use matter when isolating exosomes?

It can, although the “best” type of rotor remains a matter of debate. Some researchers report that low-angle fixed-angle rotors provide better separations than swinging-bucket rotors.¹ This is because tubes in swinging-bucket rotors are held horizontally, so they have a longer sedimentation path length than tubes in fixed-angle rotors, which can result in lower pelleting efficiency.²

Conversely, others encourage the exclusive use of swinging-bucket rotors because fixed-angle rotors deposit material against the wall of the centrifuge tube.³ The 'gold standard' method of differential ultracentrifugation described in 2006 recommended using either type of rotor.⁴

One point of agreement is that ultraclear tubes are a good choice with any rotor type because they make it easier to locate visibly banded or pelleted samples.


[1] Momen-Heravi F, Balaj L, et al. Current methods for the isolation of extracellular vesicles. Biol Chem. 394;1253-62: (2013). doi: 10.1515/hsz-2013-0141.

[2] Cvjetkovic A, Lötvall J, Lässer C. The influence of rotor type and centrifugation time on the yield and purity of extracellular vesicles. J Extracell Vesicles. 3; 23111: (2014). doi: org/10.3402/jev.v3.23111.

[3] Witwer KW, Buzás EI, Bemis LT, et al. Standardization of sample collection, isolation and analysis methods in extracellular vesicle research. J Extracell Vesicles. 2; 20360: (2013). doi: org/10.3402/jev.v2i0.20360.

[4] Théry C, Amigorena S, Clayton A and Raposo G. Isolation and characterization of exosomes from cell culture supernatants and biological fluids. Curr Protoc Cell Biol. Chapter 3; Unit 3.22: (2006).