Pioneers in Ultracentrifugation for Over 70 Years

For more than seven decades, Beckman Coulter ultracentrifuges—affectionately known as “Spincos”—have led the way in centrifugation innovation. Since introducing the Model E, the world’s first analytical ultracentrifuge in 1947, Beckman Coulter has consistently delivered groundbreaking advancements in ultracentrifuge technology.

Milestones in Ultracentrifuge Innovation:

✔ 1949 – First floor-standing preparative ultracentrifuge
✔ First vacuum-encased induction drive system
✔ First tabletop ultracentrifuge
✔ First non-CFC, electric thermoelectric heating & cooling system
✔ First titanium rotor, top-loading swinging-bucket rotor, and near-vertical rotor

Ultracentrifugation in Disease Control & Research

Ultracentrifugation plays a critical role in infectious disease research and virus purification, particularly through the use of density gradients (e.g., sucrose, cesium chloride and iodixanol):

✔ Virus purification from cell culture media
✔ Sample preparation for electron microscopy (EM)
✔ Virus quantification in research and diagnostics

Ultracentrifugation for Macromolecule Separation & Analysis

A fundamental tool in molecular biology, ultracentrifugation enables the separation of organelles, macromolecules, and complexes based on density and sedimentation rates:

✔ Purification of proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides
✔ Investigation of macromolecular interactions (e.g., protein–protein, protein–DNA)
✔ Determination of molecular weight, conformation, and stoichiometry using sedimentation velocity and equilibrium methods

Lipoprotein Fractionation & Cardiovascular Research

Ultracentrifugation is essential in lipid metabolism studies and cardiovascular risk assessment:

✔ Separation of lipoproteins (e.g., chylomicrons) based on density
✔ Fractionation for cholesterol and triglyceride analysis

Modern Applications: Exosomes & Lentiviral Particle Purification

✔ Exosome Isolation & Purification – Differential ultracentrifugation is widely used to purify exosomes and remove bovine-derived vesicles from FBS-supplemented media.
✔ Lentiviral Particle Concentration – Lentiviruses used in gene therapy are concentrated using sucrose cushions or PBS, with quantification via qPCR or ELISA.

Beyond Life Sciences: Non-Biological Applications of Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation

Ultracentrifugation using density gradients is also widely applied in materials science, chemistry, and nanotechnology, especially for separating high-density or semi-solid systems:

✔ Nanoparticle separation by size and density
✔ Soil mineral fractionation using sodium polytungstate
✔ Emulsion and suspension separation in industrial formulations
✔ Asphaltene and heavy oil component separation
✔ Polystyrene microsphere fractionation by size and density
✔ Ionic liquid phase behavior studies and impurity separation
✔ Ceramic slurry separation and salt crystal purification

Beckman Coulter Ultracentrifuge Models

Beckman Coulter offers a full portfolio of ultracentrifuge models to meet a wide range of research and industrial needs:

✔ Optima™ XPN – Flagship model with advanced networking, customizable features, and enhanced BioSafety protections
✔ Optima™ XE – Streamlined, high-performance model for routine use
✔ Optima™ MAX-XP – Tabletop unit with enhanced tracking and compliance features
✔ Optima™ MAX-TL – Compact, high-speed tabletop ultracentrifuge
✔ Airfuge™ Air-Driven Ultracentrifuge – Rapid solution for chylomicron removal from lipemic samples

Advanced Safety & Performance Features

Beckman Coulter ultracentrifuges incorporate industry-leading innovations to ensure safety, reliability, and performance:

✔ eXpert Simulation Software for optimized run parameters
✔ Vacuum-encased drive units for extended durability
✔ Regenerative braking for energy efficiency
✔ Magnetic rotation sensors for precision monitoring
✔ Optical overspeed sensors for added safety
✔ Dynamic rotor inertia checking for operational reliability

High-Performance Labware for Biopharma & Vaccine Applications

Beckman Coulter’s proprietary labware is engineered for safety, efficiency, and reproducibility across various critical applications:

✔ OptiSeal™ Tubes
✔ QuickSeal™ Tubes
✔ g-MAX™ System
✔ Konical™ Tubes

Used in processes such as:

• Vaccine strain development

• RNA/DNA extraction

• Monoclonal antibody (mAb) purification

• Multi-antigen research workflows

Regulatory Compliance

All Beckman Coulter ultracentrifuges are registered with the Malaysian Medical Device Authority (MDA) and comply with global standards, ensuring reliability and regulatory confidence for both clinical and research environments.