Ultracentrifuge for Separation of Small Molecules, Compounds, and Vesicles - Ultracentrifuge for Separation of Small Molecules, Compounds, and Vesicles. Project Abstract: Researchers at the Universidad Central Del Caribe, School of Medicine are requesting funding to acquire a Beckman Coulter Optima XPN-90 IVD ultracentrifuge for shared use at the Common Instrumentation Area and Services (CIAS), a core facility accessible to faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate, medical and undergraduate students. The XPN-90 is a high-performance ultracentrifuge capable of reaching up to 694,000 x g (maximum 90,000 rpm), making it a critical component for the rapid, high-resolution separation of subcellular particles, proteins, and small molecules. Its acquisition will significantly enhance the institution’s capacity to support molecular, oncological, natural-based, and immunological research across multiple departments. Currently, the institution lacks a shared ultracentrifuge with this level of performance. There is only one ultracentrifuge at our institution, and it is currently non-functional and heavily outdated. Investigators at our institution are forced to use lower-speed centrifuges that are not suited for compound and small molecule purification or must rely on external collaborations. The absence of a centralized, high-capacity ultracentrifuge limits the pace of research and reduces the opportunities for training in modern biochemical techniques. The proposed instrument will fill a critical infrastructure gap, directly impacting research productivity and education on a positive level. At least three primary major users will immediately benefit from the integration of this ultracentrifuge. The PI’s lab will use the XPN-90 to purify natural compounds such as polysaccharide peptide (PSP) to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of this treatment, enabling a shift away from a multi-part purification procedure. Dr. Alves will use the instrument to isolate mitochondrial and small molecules for her studies on metabolic modulation in neurodegeneration. Dr. Salgado will apply ultracentrifugation to isolate and analyze small traces of small inhibitory molecules during drug administrations, advancing molecular insight into host- inhibitor interactions. The ultracentrifuge will be housed in the CIAS under the supervision of Mr. Gabriel Sierra, a highly experienced electronics technician who oversees scheduling, maintenance, and training. Usage will follow standardized protocols, with all investigators and students trained before gaining access. Undergraduate, medical, master’s, and graduate students will have supervise access to the instrument, expanding hands-on experience with cutting-edge research tools. Overall, this acquisition will strengthen our institutional infrastructure, support NIH-funded and emerging research projects, accelerate discoveries related to compound purifications, exosomes, small molecules, and enhance the training of future biomedical scientists in Puerto Rico.
