Centrifugation

Goals for this  unit:

1. Understand essential theoretical concepts of movement of a particle under a centrifugal force.

2. Know differences between "preparative" and "analytical" types of centrifugation.

3. Analytical Centrifugation

    Instrument 

            Optic systems - general principles / how to interpret them

                  Schlieren  /  Interference  /  Absorption optics 

    Common Applications (transport vs. equilibrium experiments)

           Sedimentation Coefficient - "s" vs. "S"

                  Diffusion Coefficient

                  Frictional Coefficient / frictional coefficient ratio

            Sedimentation Equilibrium  

Our coverage of centrifugation will deal with the following topics, each of which is covered by the web tutorials indicated below.  A summary of key equations and topics is given here.  Refer to the web sites for further information.

I.  Theory - General Principles:    (lecture slides)

II.  Preparative Methods: 

Rotors - Course separations 

Density Gradient Methods

       Zonal Centrifugation - Sucrose gradient - Rate Method

       Isopycnic Methods - Equilibrium Method - Sep. by density (CsCl gradients)

III.  The Modern Analytical Ultracentrifuge

   See Beckman Review:  for a complete discussion of ultracentrifugation (Note pages 15-33).

Comparison of Optic Methods

IV.  Analytical Methods 

Sedimentation Velocity Experiments -

        PDF file on Sedimentation Velocity Methods from Beckman Instruments

The following slides are part of a tutorial on analytical ultracentrifugation Workshop slides.