Use of iodinated organic compounds for the density gradient centrifugation of viruses

Use of Urografin and Conray for the equilibrium centrifugation of viruses is described. These pharmaceuticals, which consist of iodinated arylic compounds, reach densities of 1.6 g/cm3 and have low intrinsic viscosities. Poliovirus, Newcastle disease virus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus were centrifuged to equilibrium in gradients made of these substances. Viral infectivities were not measurably affected, which is especially noteworthy in the case of the very labile lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Buoyant densities were found to be significantly lower than densities obtained with gradients made of CsCl and sucrose.