Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Use of Light-scattering to Measure the Selective Interaction of a Macromolecular Solute with the Components of a Binary Solvent

Nature volume 207, pages 80–81 (1965)Cite this article

Abstract

A SOLUTION of a non-diffusible solute will in general contain the components of a mixed solvent in proportions different from those of an equilibrium, diffusate, owing to non-ideal interactions between, the solute and the solvent components. The distribution can be measured refractometrically1,2 and can be expressed unambiguously for a binary solvent as the excess quantity of one of the solvent components (arbitrarily chosen) relative to unit quantity of the other, per unit quantity of solute. Direct refracto-metric measurement requires preparation of an equilibrium diffusate, and is limited with respect to the concentration of the solute by the sensitivity of the measurement. The use of diffusate can be avoided by measurement of light-scattering, which also allows measurements to be extrapolated reliably to zero concentration of solute.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Casassa, E. F., and Eisenberg, H., Adv. Protein Chem., 19, 287 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Preston, B. N., Davies, M., and Ogston, A. G., Biochem. J. (in the press).

  3. Casassa, E. F., and Eisenberg, H., J. Phys. Chem., 65, 427 (1961).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ogston, A. G., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. Suppl., 1, 39 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ogston, A. G., and Phelps, C. F., Biochem. J., 78, 827 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Laurent, T. C., Biochem. J., 93, 106 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Laurent, T. C., and Ogston, A. G., Biochem. J., 89, 249 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Biochemistry, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra

    A. G. OGSTON & B. N. PRESTON

Authors
  1. A. G. OGSTON
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. N. PRESTON
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

OGSTON, A., PRESTON, B. Use of Light-scattering to Measure the Selective Interaction of a Macromolecular Solute with the Components of a Binary Solvent. Nature 207, 80–81 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/207080a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/207080a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing