Chad Brautigam · Monday, 24 August 2026, 08:45 – 10:45 · Session 1
Room 101260
Detection of small changes in the sedimentation coefficients of macromolecules can be exploited to determine the partial-specific volume (vbar, or PSV) of a protein or to detect ligand-induced conformational changes. Determining vbar involves varying the solution density using a densifying agent such as heavy-oxygen water. The small changes in s-values engendered by the density variation can be used to calculate the PSV. Conformational changes can be detected using difference sedimentation velocity, in which two solutions of a protein are each placed in a respective sector of a centerpiece. One of the solutions will contain the ligand that induces the conformational changes, and the very sensitive detection of the s-value change serves as evidence of a conformational change. The workshop will cover the theoretical background, analysis strategies as implemented in the software DiSECT, and experimental considerations. Participants wishing to participate in demonstrations should expect to install the software and data on a Windows laptop.