Ultracentrifuge

An ultracentrifuge spins samples at extremely high speeds, separating particles or molecules by their sedimentation behavior, which depends on size, shape, and density.

Sedimentation velocity: A method that tracks how quickly particles move through a fluid under centrifugal force. It separates species by their sedimentation rates while the sample spins.
Centrifuge: A device that separates components of a mixture by rotating them and exploiting differences in sedimentation. An ultracentrifuge is a high-speed form of this broader class of instrument.
Virus purification: The isolation of virus particles from host-cell material and other contaminants. High-speed centrifugation can concentrate viruses or separate them in density gradients.
Theodor Svedberg: A Swedish chemist who developed ultracentrifugal methods and studied colloids and proteins. His work established ultracentrifugation as a tool for measuring macromolecules.
Microcentrifuge: A compact centrifuge designed for small sample tubes and routine laboratory separations. It handles small-scale separations but generally operates below ultracentrifuge speeds.
Sedimentation equilibrium: A state in which centrifugal sedimentation is balanced by diffusion, producing a concentration gradient. It uses an ultracentrifuge to infer molecular mass without requiring particle movement to stop.
Rotor (centrifuge): The rotating component of a centrifuge that holds sample tubes or cells. Rotor geometry and speed determine the force and separation path.
Ribosome: A molecular complex of RNA and proteins that synthesizes proteins in cells. Ribosomal subunits and complexes can be separated by their sedimentation behavior.
Ultracentrifuge (Svedberg): The early analytical ultracentrifuge developed by Theodor Svedberg for studying colloids and proteins. This instrument made precise observations of molecular sedimentation possible.
Differential centrifugation: A sequence of centrifugation steps that separates particles mainly by size and sedimentation rate. It relies on successive spins rather than the high-resolution analysis of ultracentrifugation.

Linked from 2 pages