Determination of sedimentation coefficients and polyribosomal size in nonisokinetic density gradient centrifugation

An empirical function is derived relating the size of polyribosomes to their sedimentation coefficients. The function allows the calibration of centrifuged density gradients by using it in conjunction with the smaller polyribosomes as markers and relating centrifugations of different ∫ ω 2 dt through constants of proportionality. The method is such that stable gradients of any shape can be used and there is no need for precise knowledge of ∫ ω 2 dt.