Abstract
THE substance of lectures by Prof. The Svedberg, delivered in Oxford earlier this year at the inauguration of an ultra-centrifuge in the Depart ment of Biochemistry of the University, is printed as a supplement to this issue of NATURE. The work described represents the culmination of a definite stage in Prof. Svedberg's research with the ultra-centrifuge. By a remarkable feat of engineering, he has succeeded in applying a simple principle to the measurement of molecular weights in a region which seemed inac cessible except through osmotic methods; and since these gave no information as to molecular homogeneity, no idea could be reached of the indi vidual molecular weights of a possible mixture. His ultra-centrifuge, capable of reaching with a rotor of 180 mm. diameter speeds of at least 66,000 revolutions per minute and forces of 300,000 times gravity, seems to be for the moment the only method of getting adequate resolution in the ‘mass spectrum’ of a mixture of proteins. It is driven by oil turbine and has a horizontal rotor running in hydrogen at a pressure of about 25 mm. Particularly interesting is his mention of the experiments upon the best forms of steel to be used in rotor construction. They indicate all too briefly how much experimental work has been needed to evolve a final form of the apparatus. The studies upon proteins have clearly arisen in Uppsala from the long-continued interest of Prof. Svedberg in colloids. Even before the development of the recent work, he had already made valuable contri butions to colloid chemistry; but these must be regarded as of minor importance in the light of the discoveries here summarized.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Ultra-Centrifuge in Biochemistry. Nature 139, 1046 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/1391046a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1391046a0