Ultracentrifugation

Ultracentrifugation is a centrifugation method that uses high speed to separate particles. It is commonly used in the field of biochemistry for isolating and purifying biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

History

The ultracentrifuge was invented by Theodor Svedberg in 1925. Svedberg's invention was a significant advancement in the field of biochemistry, as it allowed for the separation of different types of biomolecules.

Principle

Ultracentrifugation works on the principle of sedimentation. When a sample is spun at high speed, the denser particles move towards the bottom of the tube, while the less dense particles stay at the top. The speed of the centrifuge is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), and the force exerted on the particles is measured in gravitational force (g).

Types

There are two main types of ultracentrifugation: preparative and analytical.

Preparative ultracentrifugation is used to separate and purify biomolecules. It can be further divided into differential and density gradient ultracentrifugation.

Analytical ultracentrifugation is used to study the properties of particles, such as their size, shape, and interaction with other particles.

Applications

Ultracentrifugation is widely used in the field of biochemistry. It is used to isolate and purify biomolecules, study their properties, and analyze their interactions with other molecules. It is also used in the field of virology to purify viruses and study their structure.

See also

• Centrifuge
• Sedimentation
• Biochemistry
• Virology

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