Development of Far-Infrared Difference Spectroscopy For Studies of Biological Pigment-Protein Complexes

Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc., Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

This award supports the development of an instrument for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopic measurement of biological pigment-protein complexes in the 1000-140 cm-1 spectral region. At present few instruments can perform measurements on biological samples below ~1000 cm-1. Instruments that do have sensitivity below ~1000 cm-1 are inherently slow, and measurements typically extend over several days. Here, an instrument will be constructed with sensitivity down to ~140 cm-1, with data acquisition rates at least two orders of magnitude superior to existing instruments. Such an instrument will make far-IR difference measurements of biological samples simpler. The main advance is in the fabrication, testing and incorporation of new fast and sensitive far-infrared detectors into our FTIR instrumentation. Extension of FTIR difference techniques down to ~140 cm-1 is highly desirable as it will open up a window where the bonds between metals and organic ligands (Mn.O, Mg.N, Fe.N, Fe.S), characteristic of a large number of the protein cofactors can be directly investigated.