page_title: Analytical ultracentrifugation
section_title: Instrumentation
hierarchical_section_title: Analytical ultracentrifugation / Instrumentation
context_page_description: Analytical ultracentrifugation is an analytical technique which combines an ultracentrifuge with optical monitoring systems.
  In an analytical ultracentrifuge, a sample’s sedimentation profile is monitored in real time by an optical detection system. The sample is detected via ultraviolet light absorption and/or interference optical refractive index sensitive system. The operator can thus observe the evolution of sample concentration versus the axis of the rotation profile as a result of the applied centrifugal field. With modern instrumentation, these observations are electronically digitized and stored for further mathematical analysis.
  The information that can be obtained from an analytical ultracentrifuge includes the gross shape of macromolecules, conformational changes in macromolecules, and size distributions of macromolecules. With AUC it is possible to gain information on the number and subunit stoichiometry of non-covalent complexes and equilibrium constant constants of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, nanoparticles or other assemblies from different molecule classes.
context_section_description: An analytical ultracentrifuge extends the ultracentrifuge by a light source and optical detectors. To allow the light pass through the analyte during the ultracentrifuge run, specialized cells are required which have to meet optical qualities as well as to resist the gravitational forces. Each cell consists of a housing, two windows from quartz glass, a center-piece with two sectors. These cell are placed into a rotor with continuous bore.
caption: Rotors for an Analytical Ultracentrifuge for a maximal spinning velocity of 50'000 (left) and 60'000 (right) rpm
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