Biochemistry Shared Instrumentation

Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Analytical Ultracentrifugation: The Beckman Optima XL-I is equipped with both absorbance and interference optics and performs two types of complementary experiments: Sedimentation Velocity (SV) and Sedimentation Equilibrium (SE). Sedimentation velocity is a hydrodynamic technique sensitive to the mass and shape of the macromolecular species, it can be used to determine sample purity, determine sedimentation coefficients and characterize assembly and disassembly of biomolecular complexes. Sedimentation equilibrium is a thermodynamic technique that is sensitive to the mass but not the shape of the macromolecular species. It can be used for determining molecular mass and equilibrium constants for self- and hetero-associating systems. Experiments are based on first principles and performed in free solution. There are no standards or calibrations and no interactions with matrices or surfaces. Experiments can be conducted over a wide range of concentration, temperature, ionic strength and pH.