Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is a first principle technique requiring no cross-reference standards.
AUC uses at optical system (Absorbance and/or Rayleigh Interference) to monitor the state of solution in the presence of a high centrifugal field over time.
This allows de novo assessment of Molecular Weights and Sedimentation Coefficients, as well as density measurements and discovery of any molecular interactions present.
Analytical Centrifugation – while being a technique dating back about a century – is still the gold-standard method for protein MW reference. It is also the ultimate interactions reference technique providing back-up to other biophysical interaction measurement techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal calorimetry (ITC)
Typical modern applications include – Biomolecule aggregation assessment and QC, Interaction Studies, and Viral packaging QC for cell and gene therapy vector production.
Building on the resurgent success of the ProteomeLab XL-A/XL-I instruments – the new Beckman Optima AUC instrument brings higher speed data acquisition and higher resolution. It also introduces Multiwavelength capabilities allowing new types of experiment to be conducted and new questions asked

Videos

  • An Introduction to the Optima AUC

  • Interview with Dr. Borries Demeler on Analytical Ultracentrifugation