Ultrabroadband terahertz spectroscopies of biomolecules and water

Turton, D., Harwood, T., Lapthorn, A. , Ellis, E. and Wynne, K. (2013) Ultrabroadband terahertz spectroscopies of biomolecules and water. Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering, 8623(862303), (doi: 10.1117/12.2003796)

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Abstract

We describe the use of a range of modern spectroscopic techniques—from terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz- TDS) to high dynamic-range femtosecond optical Kerr-effect (OKE) spectroscopy—to study the interaction of proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules with the aqueous solvent. Chemical reactivity in proteins requires fast picosecond fluctuations to reach the transition state, to dissipate energy, and (possibly) to reduce the width and height of energy barriers along the reaction coordinate. Such motions are linked with the structure and dynamics of the aqueous solvent making hydration critical to function. These dynamics take place over a huge range of timescales: from the nanosecond timescale of diffusion of water molecules in the first solvation shell of proteins, picosecond motions of amino-acid side chains, and sub-picosecond librational and phonon-like motions of water. It is shown that a large range of frequencies from MHz to THz is accessible directly using OKE resulting in the reduced anisotropic Raman spectrum and by using a combination of techniques including THz-TDS resulting in the dielectric spectrum. Using these techniques, we can now observe very significant differences in the spectra of proteins in aqueous solvent in the 3-30 THz range and more subtle differences at lower frequencies (10 GHz-3 THz). © (2013) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lapthorn, Dr Adrian and Wynne, Professor Klaas
Authors: Turton, D., Harwood, T., Lapthorn, A., Ellis, E., and Wynne, K.
Subjects:Q Science > QD Chemistry
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
Publisher:Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers
ISSN:0277-786X
ISSN (Online):1996-756X

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
559071Two-dimensional terahertz/IR spectroscopy: a unique probe of ultrafast hydrogen-bond dynamics of liquid water and model systems.Klaas WynneEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/F06926X/2CHEM - CHEMISTRY
571341Liquid-liquid transitions in molecular liquids: from supramolecular structure to phase separationKlaas WynneEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/J004790/1CHEM - CHEMISTRY
582891The structure and dynamics of water confined in nanoscale pools: the dynamic crossoverKlaas WynneEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/J009733/1CHEM - CHEMISTRY