Hannover 2013 – scientific programme
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MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik
MO 22: Biomolecules
MO 22.5: Talk
Thursday, March 21, 2013, 12:00–12:15, F 107
Broadband Microwave Spectroscopy of Biologically Relevant Complexes in the Gas Phase — •Sabrina Zinn1,2, Thomas Betz1,2, David Schmitz1,2, V. Alvin Shubert1,2, and Melanie Schnell1,2 — 1Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Hamburg — 2Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg
A new broadband microwave spectrometer, designed for structural investigation of biologically relevant complexes in the gas phase, is presented. In nature, molecular recognition processes often initiate the formation of complexes. An interesting example are Lectins responsible for cell-cell recognition, in which the aromatic moieties of the protein interact with carbohydrates on the cell surface. In our experiments, this recognition process is modeled by forming complexes with aromatic molecules such as benzene, indole, or tryptophan and monosaccharides like glucose, galactose, or fructose.
The rotational spectra of these systems will be recorded with the new Chirped-Pulse Fourier-Transform Microwave spectroscopy (CP-FTMW) method. With this technique, rotational spectra can be measured in a very short time, allowing several complexes to be probed and to investigate the role of different substituents. This technique will be combined with a laser desorption source to bring fragile molecules, for example the monosaccharides, into the gas phase. The analysis of the rotational spectra will give direct insights into the structure of the molecular complexes and will lead to a better understanding of the recognition process, the molecular forces involved and the influence of functional groups and steric effects.