Ultracentrifugation
Description
The ultracentrifuges available are located at CGS2 (Palazzo Golgi-Spallanzani, via Ferrata 9): a benchtop ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter OPTIMA MAX-XP) and a floor-standing ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter OPTIMA XPN-90).
Equipment
Rates
The Centre’s regulations provide for the application of a fee for the use of the equipment:
INTERNAL USERS
Consultation is reserved for University staff: link
EXTERNAL USERS
| Equipment/Service | Autonomous use (hourly rate) | With technical support (hourly rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Ultracentrifuge OPTIMA MAX-XP (Beckman Coulter) | € 4,00 | not available |
| Ultracentrifuge OPTIMA XPN-90 (Beckman Coulter) | € 7,00 | not available |
FAQ and Protocols
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How can a user book the use of an ultracentrifuge? | Users must book through the Agendo online portal (https://cgs.agendoscience.com), indicating in the booking form if the centrifuge should be switched on and specifying the rotor requested and the working temperature. |
| What should a user do in case of a first-time use? | In case of a first-time use, please contact the technicians in charge to receive proper instructions before using the machines. |
| What rules of good practice must be followed by the user of an ultracentrifuge? | Before use, please verify if the centrifuge and the rotor you want to use are in good conditions. At the end of the work, switch off the instrument, clean and store back the rotor, and fill in the paper logbook, writing down your observations in case. Please notify the technicians about any malfunction or anomaly. For routine works, users should work autonomously, but the technicians are avaiable for assistance. |
| What are the indications for sample preparation? | It is suggested to prepare samples at one’s own laboratory. However a room for sample preparation is available at CGS2, with an analytical balance to check the weights before centrifugation and a fridge (4°C/-20°C) for temporary storage. |
| Which rotors are available? How can a user know the parameters of rotors and ultracentrifuges? | Please refer to the detailed instructions in the description of each ultracentrifuge, or the paper manuals available in the laboratory, or the producer’s website. |
| What should a researcher do, in case he/she wants to use one of the ultracentrifuges with a rotor of his own? | Before any autonomous use, he/she must contact directly one of the technicians in charge, because an explicit authorization by the Centro Grandi Strumenti is necessary in this case. |
