A new gradient former and a simplified procedure for zonal centrifugation of immune complexes.

A new gradient former for production of optimized sucrose gradients for B-XIV zonal rotors is described. Optimized gradients are gradients with an initial shelf to provide capacity and a shape that ensures isokinetic sedimentation conditions. By exhaustive computer calculations it has been found that optimized gradients can be produced by a very simple two-compartment gradient former. The design is given. Moreover, graphs for choice of gradient strength and run duration for preparative and analytical runs of samples containing soluble immune complexes are calculated. The new gradient former allows the use of a very simple procedure for zonal centrifugation.