What Is a Sucrose Gradient?

By separating specific particles within a sucrose layer, scientists are able to purify protein and viruses and analyze sub-components of cells. They create a gradient by layering the sucrose into fractional parts in order to locate precise aspects of the particles within the solution.

DNA Research

• The National Institute for Medical Research in London reported that alkaline sucrose gradients were used in early research to investigate how DNA synthesis works in certain cultures of a yeast known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

H1N1 Virus Purification

• As early as 1992, researchers at the University of Massachusetts purified the H1N1 virus in a sucrose gradient as part of the process of finding a vaccine.

Process

• Decreasingly dense layers of sucrose are placed upon each other in pre-determined amounts, then inserted into a centrifuge and spun. Through this motion, certain particles move through the layers until they reach the same thickness as the outer layer of sucrose.

Centrifuge

• A centrifuge is a machine used to spin liquid around a central core in order to separate solids from liquids.

Variables

• The viscosity, concentration and temperature of the sample may affect the test.