ABSTRACT
T he interpretation of AUC data is solidly based on thermodynamic first principles and for this reason it has fulfilled a critical role as a physical method
throughout almost a century. Even though AUC does not rely on comparative reference standards, quantitative work requires an instrument that is properly calibrated with respect to all data dimensions. Most applications of AUC require quantitatively accurate results, such as the meaningful interpretation of hydrodynamic friction coefficients in the context of theoretical models of macromolecular shapes and conformation. This is also true for the accurate determination of buoyant molar masses, crucial for the deduction of particle molar masses, densities and composition, as well as protein oligomeric states and often binding constants.
