Structure and dynamics of biomolecules probed by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is still a suitable and prominent method for probing the relationship between structure, dynamics and function of biomolecules. In this context, resonance Raman spectroscopy is of particular relevance since it allows the site-specific investigation of chromophores (aromatic amino acid residues, nucleotides, heme groups) which are directly involved in mechanisms pivotal for the function of the respective molecules. Time-resolved spectroscopy (Raman and IR) is utilized to explore, e.g., structural changes in heme proteins upon ligand photolysis. Conventional visible Raman is still a useful tool to explore peptides and proteins and to determine the orientation of oriented nucleic acid fibres. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.