Linear dichroism and circular dichroism: a textbook on polarized-light spectroscopy

This book provides an introduction to optical activity (circular dichroism, CD) and optical anisotropy (linear dichroism, LD) as techniques for the study of molecular structure and interactions between molecules in solution. It starts by describing the basic principles and practices in a way that does not require that does not require an understanding of advanced mathematics or quantum mechanics. The book covers the use of the techniques for molecules of both lowand high molecular weight but particular emphasis is placed on proteins and nucleic acids. The early chapters focus on how to use the techniques to study the structure and function of biomacromolecules. The central chapters cover thevarious applications of CD and LD including: protein secondary structure elucidation; analysis of the formation and rearrangements of fibrous proteins and membrane proteins; identification of the absolute configuration of small molecules; determination of the orientation of small molecules in anisotropic mediaand assignment of transition moment directions, and investigation of binding strengths and geometries of ligand-macromolecule complexes. The advantages of combined CD/LD studies are also outlined with examples of DNA/drug complexes and protein insertion into membranes. The level of the subject matter graduallyincreases as the book proceeds, concluding with quantum mechanical derivations of the CD equations used in the middle chapters. The use of linearly polarized light is often seen as a rather exotic method intended only for experiencedspectroscopists. This book demonstrates that it is an approach that may be used by students and scientists from graduate level onwards

• ISBN: 978-1-84755-902-9
• Editorial: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 200
• Fecha Publicación: 01/08/2010
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés