### Session P39: Physics of Proteins IV: Folding, Dynamics and Function

8:00 AM–10:24 AM, Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Room: A124/127

Chair: Margaret Cheung, University of Houston

Abstract ID: BAPS.2011.MAR.P39.12

### Abstract: P39.00012 : Pressure and Temperature Effects on Polypeptides and Biomolecules Probed by Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

10:12 AM–10:24 AM

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#### Authors:

Sanghoon Park
(Department of Physics and College of Optics, University of Central Florida)

Alfons Schulte
(Department of Physics and College of Optics, University of Central Florida)

We investigate pressure and temperature effects on the secondary structure of Poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) in D$_{2}$O buffer (pH 5.4) solution. Our setup employs a Raman microscope equipped with a micro-capillary high-pressure cell and a variable temperature stage. Raman spectra are acquired over the pressure range from 0.1 to 300 MPa while the temperature can be varied from 270 K to 330 K. The amide I band of PGA is sensitive to pressure and temperature, and by spectral deconvolution we determine the relative contributions due to $\alpha$-helix and random coil conformations. The amount of $\alpha$-helix increases with increasing pressure. Extensions of these experiments to model proteins and lipids are presented.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.MAR.P39.12