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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Assembly, Loading, and Alignment of an Analytical Ultracentrifuge Sample Cell
Published on: November 5, 2009
3D-Printing for Analytical Ultracentrifugation
Abhiksha Desai1, Jonathan Krynitsky2, Thomas J Pohida2
1Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly Section, Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America.
3D printing enables low-cost fabrication of analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) centerpieces. These 3D printed components offer sufficient precision and stability for sedimentation velocity and equilibrium experiments, expanding AUC accessibility.
Area of Science:
- Biophysical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is a vital technique for characterizing macromolecules in solution.
- The centerpiece is a critical component of AUC sample cells, requiring precise design for high-force experiments.
- Traditional centerpiece fabrication is complex and costly, limiting accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of fabricating AUC centerpieces using 3D printing technology.
- To assess the performance and precision of 3D printed centerpieces in AUC experiments.
- To explore the potential of 3D printing for customized AUC accessory development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D printing to fabricate custom AUC centerpieces from various materials.
- Performed sedimentation velocity experiments using bovine serum albumin as a reference molecule.
- Compared the performance of 3D printed centerpieces against commercial epoxy centerpieces.
Main Results:
- 3D printed centerpieces demonstrated sufficient mechanical stability for high-speed AUC.
- Sedimentation velocity experiments yielded results comparable to commercial centerpieces, with minimal statistical error (<1%).
- 3D printing allows for cost-effective and customized centerpiece designs.
Conclusions:
- 3D printing offers a viable, low-cost method for producing high-performance AUC centerpieces.
- This advancement can enhance experimental design, efficiency, and resource allocation in AUC studies.
- Open-source fabrication paradigms can drive innovation in AUC instrumentation and accessories.
