What is the ultracentrifugation method based on?
Another field-separation technique, ultracentrifugation, involves separation on the basis of the centrifugal force created by very rapid rotation (50,000 revolutions per minute or more). Different species, depending on their masses, will settle at different speeds under these conditions.
What does ultracentrifugation measure?
Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is the study of the behaviour of macromolecules in solution under the influence of a strong gravitational force. Most macromolecules have a different density from the solvent surrounding them and so will sink (or float) in a strong enough field.
Why do we use ultracentrifugation?
Ultracentrifugation methods are used primarily for the determination of biopolymer molecular weights. A solution of the polymer is placed in a centrifuge cell. (The solvent has been carefully selected for its density and refractive index differences from the polymer.) The centrifuge cell is placed in a rotor.
Who coined the term ultracentrifugation?
The demand for higher speed was present and in 1925 Theodor Svedberg, who was a colloid chemist, invented the first ultracentrifuge as an analytical instrument. One year later the Nobel prize was awarded to him for his research and the invention of the ultracentrifuge.
What are the types of ultracentrifuge?
There are two kinds of ultracentrifuges, the preparative and the analytical ultracentrifuge. Both classes of instruments find important uses in molecular biology, biochemistry, and polymer science.
What is required for ultracentrifugation?
Refrigeration and vacuum systems, are mandatory in ultracentrifuges. Because of the extremely high spinning speed, ultracentrifuges are always equipped with vacuum and refrigeration systems, to avoid sample and/or device damage due to frictional force and overheating.
Is ultracentrifuge and ultracentrifugation same?
Type of pellet that is produced from sample fractionation: because ultracentrifuges can achieve much higher spinning speeds, the type of sediment (pellet) that results from one or the other is also different, with ultracentrifugation allowing for the isolation of smaller particles than benchtop centrifugation.