Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 8: Posters: Proteins

BP 8.5: Poster

Monday, March 11, 2013, 17:30–19:30, Poster B2

Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy on Membrane Proteins — •Elmar Hassan Hubrich and Joachim Heberle — Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Physics, Exp. Molecular Biophysics, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany

Membrane proteins are essential parts of organisms and involved in cell processes such as transport, signal transmission, catalysis, cell adhesion and (photo-)synthese. Obtaining information on molecular level of such proteins is one of the major tasks in modern biophysics.

In these research, we attempt to develop tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), as a tool to study structure and function of single proteins. TERS combines high spatial resolution of AFM with structural sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Using a gold-coated AFM tip, it is possible to measure Raman signals with a spatial resolution up to 20 nm.

Additionally to imaging a SERS probe (=TERS), AFM can be used induce and messure physical force. The force is used to achieve structural changes or even unfolding of a protein, namely single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS).

SERS can be used to achieve molecular level information while AFM applies a physical force. In order to detect single proteins we use the enhancement of SERS. The Raman signal is enhanced in the vicinity of silver- or gold-coated surfaces (here: the AFM tip).

Up to now, this technique is mainly applied to inorganic samples. Here, we introduce the experimental setup and discuss the application of TERS to the investigation of membrane proteins.