The radioactively labeled phages are allowed to infect bacteria. Agitation in a blender dislodges phage particles from bacterial cells. Centrifugation concentrates cells, separating them from the phage particles left in the supernatant.
Radioactive sulfur is found predominantly in the supernatant.
Radioactive phosphorus is found predominantly in the cell fraction, from which a new generation of infective phage can be isolated. There is a clear correlation between DNA and genetic information.