Multiwave Automated Ultra Centrifuge_ITT996

Tender description

Analytical Ultracentrifuge with UV/Visible and Interference Optics UoN seeks proposals for a method of determining the molecular properties of proteins, nucleic acids and protein complex interactions. In the event our laboratory direction includes complexes such as monoclonal antibodies, carbohydrates, polysaccharides and polymers, it is highly desirable that any proposed instrument is capable of including these compounds. The instrumentation must be capable of providing the following essential characteristics: · The nature of the separation be able to determine the weight or other molecular properties of the molecule in solution based on first-order thermodynamics (i.e. a sample subjected to a carefully controlled centrifugal force), so that the behaviour of the solute molecule can be recorded to determine various properties without disturbance of the original sample by additions of standards (i.e. maintain absolute data integrity free of internal standards). · The analytical ultracentrifugation needs to provide a rapid and highly accurate quantitative determination of association/dissociation behaviours. In addition to a determination of molecular weight, this technique needs to be able to directly determine other coefficients such as sedimentation diffusion coefficients. · The instrumentation technique proposed needs to be non-destructive (i.e. does not disrupt binding activity, to biocompatible buffer systems) and therefore provides a method to observe and record molecular binding phenomena. · The instrumentation technique must enable recovery of samples. · A dual optical system is required that includes both UV/Visible optics and interference optics to extend the sample concentration range to lower and higher levels than UV/Vis optics. Many of our protein samples provide little absorbance in the UV range and/or require solvents that interfere with the protein's absorbance in the UV range. Interference optics needs to operate independently of a sample's absorbance in the UV/Visible range and should not is not affected by a solvent's absorbance. In addition, a linear detection range for interference optics is required to permit permit accurate determination for our high concentration nucleotide samples. IMPORTANT NOTE: Installation Site details Delivered to (RCaH) the Research Complex at Harwell Located on the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) site On the Harwell Research and Innovation complex 168 Maxwell Ave, Didcot Oxford OX11