A method for separating biological materials and other substances is
disclosed, wherein a mixture containing desired and undesired components
are exposed to magnetic particles having ligands capable of binding to
the desired and/or the undesired components to form a magnetic mixture,
placing the magnetic mixture onto a substrate material; exposing the
substrate coated with the magnetic mixture to a magnetic field of
sufficient strength to cause the magnetic components to migrate across
the substrate; and repeatedly increasing and decreasing the magnetic
field in a pulsing manner with a frequency sufficient to cause the
desired magnetic components to separate spatially from the undesired
magnetic components. A device for separating biological materials capable
of being operated to increase and decrease magnetic field in a pulse
fashion is also disclosed.