Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

OLIS DSM-CD Circular Dichroism spectrophotometer w/ dual beam absorption and total fluorescence capabilities (1999)

Circular dichroism spectroscopy is used to gain information about the secondary structure of proteins and polypeptides in solution. It is a form of light absorption spectroscopy measuring the differences between matter absorbing right and left-hand circularly polarized light slightly differently. This is especially important when examining proteins because only those proteins with the correct conformation will function properly. The difference in absorbance between right and left-handed molecules is only a few 1/100th of a degree at the far UV wavelengths of 190-170 nm. A major benefit of the CD is that it uses a very small amount of the sample (200ul of 0.5 mg/ml solution in standard cells) and is even non-destructive with that portion, so the small biological samples that are either extracted or synthesized can effectively be reused in other tests.

Dr. Robert J. Morgan
Marshall University Dept. of Chemistry
MorganR@Marshall.edu
304-696-3159

Dr. Leslie Meadows Frost
Marshall University Dept. of Chemistry
Frost@Marshall.edu
304-696-6774

Dr. William D. Price
Marshall University Dept. of Chemistry
PriceW@Marshall.edu
304-696-3156

These tools and others are utilized to aid in understanding nanomachines, nanotools and  related elements through research in nanotechnology. Nanochemistry is an important component of our success and is being investigated by Dr. Michael L. Norton. Contact Norton Laboratories with your interests.

For more information, send your questions to:

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Department of Chemistry - Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755