Van Holde-Weischet Method

The vHW method1 can be used for the initial qualitative analysis for SV. We know that sedimentation is a transport process propotional to the first power of time, while diffusion is a transport process which is proportional to the square-root power of time. At infinity, transport due to diffusion will be neglible compared to transport due to sedimentation, and it will provide an integral sedimentation coefficient distribution, \(G(s)\).

The van Holde-Weischet Analysis is applicable for the following examples:

  • Concentration dependend non-ideality of the sedimenatin coefficient

  • Aggregation and Irreversible self-Association

  • Composition Analysis

  • Reversibly self-associating systems vs. non-interacting systems

  • Stoichiometry of association

  • Relative quantification of individual components

  • Conformational information

  1. van Holde, K. E. and W. O. Weischet. (1978). Boundary Analysis of Sedimentation Velocity Experiments with Monodisperse and Paucidisperse Solutes. Biopolymers, 17:1387-1403 ↩