Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation (1+2)

4.2.3. Uses of ultracentrifuge

The ultracentrifuge is most widely used to

• Study the proteins, nucleic acids, viruses and other biological macromolecules 
• Study the solution properties of small solutes
• Measure the molecular weights of solutes
• Provide the data on molecular weight distributions in polydisperse systems
• Determine the frictional coefficients and thereby the sizes and shapes of solutes
• Characterize and separate the macromolecules on the basis of their buoyant densities in density gradients.