I have to use both RBCs and WBCs in a single experiment from the same blood sample.
Hi,
You can use a density gradient centrifugation using Ficoll to obtain a purified WBCs and RBCs. There are many protocols online, but generally you need to dilute your blood on PBS (same volume of both) and then layer it over a Ficoll or Histopaque solution. I suggest using Histopaque 1077 for blood. The final volume has to be 1/3 blood mixed with 1/3 PBS carefully layered over 1/3 Ficoll. Then you need to centrifugate at 1600-2000 rpm for 30 min. I also suggest using 50 mL Falcon tubes if your blood sample is more than 2 or 3 mL. After centriguation, you can recover the monolayer of WBCs near the interphase of diluted blood with Ficoll, whereas RBCs will be at the of the bottom of the tube.
Centrifuge samples at ~1500-2000 X g for 10-15 min at room temp. Fractionate the whole blood by centrifuging at 1500-2000 X g for 10-15 min at room temperature. This will separate the blood into an upper plasma layer, a lower red blood cell (RBC) layer, and a thin interface containing the WBCs