Differential Centrifugation

There are three different types of Centrifugal Seperation.The first being Differential centrifugation, which is a common procedure in microbiology and cytology used to separate certain organelles from whole cells for further analysis of specific parts of cells. In the process, a tissue sample is first homogenised to break the cell membranes and mix up the cell contents.The homogenate is then subjected to repeated centrifugations, each time removing the pellet and increasing the centrifugal force. Finally, purification may be done through equilibrium sedimentation,(Sedimentation equilibrium in a solution or suspension of different particles, such as molecules, exists when the rate of transport of each material in any one direction due to sedimentation equals the rate of transport in the opposite direction due to diffusion. Sedimentation is due to an external force, such as gravity or centrifugal force), and the desired layer is extracted for further analysis. For this process you will need a refrigerated centrifuge that has variable speed. Make sure when you are selecting a centrifuge that you confirm if a rotor is included with the centrifuge. Most times the rotor is not included. If not, you will need to select a rotor, and adapter for the specific size centrifuge tubes that you will be using.