Apex MM · Multi-mode
Peak depletion of lipoproteins and soluble proteins
Built for plasma and serum — where ApoB-bearing lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL) overlap EVs in size and size-exclusion alone cannot remove them.
- The highest-purity column in the Apex range — maximal lipoprotein and protein depletion
- Processes up to 1.0 mL of plasma or serum per column
- SEC + multi-mode resin in a single column
MM
MM miniSize-based SEC alone can’t remove LDL/VLDL
ApoB-bearing lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL) overlap extracellular vesicles in size, so a size-exclusion column co-isolates them with EVs. In plasma and serum this lipoprotein carry-over lowers signal-to-noise in single-particle, proteomic, and functional analyses.
The overlap problem
SEC above multi-mode resin, in one column
Apex MM for lipoprotein depletion
More than just SEC
By combining SEC with a multi-mode (MM) resin that uses hydrophobic interaction and ion-exchange to selectively bind and remove lipoproteins and other soluble contaminants, Apex MM columns enhance EV purity.
- Adds a second separation mode beyond size
- Selectively removes lipoproteins (LDL/VLDL) and soluble proteins
- Optimized for plasma and serum
The result — peak lipoprotein purity
Across the Apex range you choose your operating point on the recovery–purity curve. Apex MM reaches the highest lipoprotein depletion while still recovering the majority of EVs.
| Apex 6B | Apex 4B | Apex MM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimized for | Highest yield | High purity | Peak lipoprotein purity |
| EV recovery | >90% | >70% | >50% |
| Albumin (HSA) depletion | >99.9% | >99.99% | >99.999% |
| HDL (ApoA1) depletion | >99% | >99.9% | >99.99% |
| Lipoprotein (ApoB) depletion | 40% | >80% | >98% |
| Resin | 20 nm SEC | 35 nm SEC | SEC + multi-mode |
| Sample volume | 0.5–1.0 mL · mini 0.1–0.3 mL | ||
Apex mini
Smaller size, same performance
The Apex mini packs the same multi-mode resin into a smaller column for low-volume and precious samples — process 0.1–0.3 mL inputs with the same lipoprotein and protein depletion as the full-size Apex MM column.
0.1–0.3 mL
input sample volume
Apex mini MM · 0.15 mL
Validated in plasma
Human plasma data show the multi-mode layer clears the soluble proteins and lipoproteins that size-exclusion alone leaves behind.
Residual plasma contaminants by column
Human plasma
The multi-mode layer captures what size can’t
Apex MM adds hydrophobic-interaction and ion-exchange chemistry on top of size-exclusion, binding and removing the contaminants that co-elute with EVs by size. In human plasma it depletes albumin and HDL to near-undetectable levels and clears the ApoB lipoproteins that size-exclusion barely touches.
>99.999%
Albumin (HSA) depletion — soluble protein cleared to near-undetectable
>99.99%
HDL (ApoA1) depletion — maximized by MM
>98%
ApoB lipoprotein depletion — versus ~40% for SEC alone (Apex 6B)
Single-particle validation
Intact vesicles of the expected size
Beyond bulk purity, single-particle methods confirm the isolate is genuine, intact EVs — and that the multi-mode chemistry depletes lipoproteins without touching the vesicles themselves. The size distribution is preserved, and the EV-specific signal rises clear of lipoprotein background.
Size distribution preserved
Size distribution · NTA
Lipoproteins removed, small vesicles kept
The multi-mode resin depletes lipoproteins by surface chemistry, not by size — so the vesicle population stays intact. Apex MM peaks at a mode of 68 nm, essentially matching single-mode Apex 4B (72 nm), and keeps the small vesicles that size-only cleanup can trim away.
- Size distribution preserved versus single-mode SEC
- Small vesicles retained, not gated out by size
Single-particle analysis
EV signal rises above lipoprotein noise
With co-isolated lipoproteins gone, far more of every detected particle is a real vesicle. Per scatter event, Apex MM carries markedly more EV-specific signal than traditional single-mode SEC — so genuine vesicles stand clear of lipoprotein background in single-particle assays.
9×
higher tetraspanin signal per scatter event (Atlas ELISA) vs SEC
1.5×
higher membrane-dye signal per scatter event vs SEC
EV signal per scatter event
Built for plasma EV applications
Biomarker discovery
Lipoprotein-free plasma isolates sharpen signal-to-noise.
EV proteomics
Fewer co-isolated lipoproteins → cleaner spectra and libraries.
Single-particle & functional
Attribute counts and activity to vesicles, not lipoproteins.
Technical specifications
Specifications & formats
| Specification | Apex MM |
|---|---|
| Resin type | Multi-mode (SEC + hydrophobic / ion-exchange) |
| Bed volume | 9.0 mL · mini 3.3 mL |
| Sample volume | 0.5–1.0 mL · mini 0.1–0.3 mL |
| Formats | Single column and mini |
| Compatible instruments | Ascent (columns) · Summit (columns) |
| Validated biofluids | Cell culture, plasma, serum, urine, CSF |
Application notes
Latest Apex application notes
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What samples are Apex MM columns designed for?
Apex MM is built for lipoprotein-rich biofluids like plasma and serum, where ApoB-bearing lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL) overlap EVs in size. It is also available as a mini format for 0.1–0.3 mL inputs.
How does Apex MM remove lipoproteins?
Apex MM combines size-exclusion chromatography with a multi-mode (MM) resin that uses hydrophobic interaction and ion-exchange to selectively bind and remove lipoproteins and other soluble contaminants, significantly enhancing EV purity.
Should I use Apex MM, 6B, or 4B?
Apex MM is optimized for maximum EV purity in plasma and serum — ideal for unbiased assays like mass spec and flow cytometry. Apex 6B is optimized for the highest total EV recovery — ideal for targeted analysis such as immunoassays, western blots, and surface-marker pull-down. Apex 4B is optimized for the highest purity — ideal for unbiased analysis including proteomics and RNA-seq.
Is Apex MM compatible with automation?
Yes. Apex MM columns run on the Ascent instrument, which processes up to 8 samples in parallel, and on the Summit instrument for higher-throughput automation.
Contact us
Talk to us about Apex MM
Tell us about your plasma or serum workflow and downstream assay, and our scientists will share a protocol to get you started with Apex MM.