Circular Dichroism

Circular Dichroism

Circular Dichroism

Circular dichroism (CD) refers to the differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized light, the CD is a phenomena that results when asymmetrical molecules interact with plane-polarized light. CD spectroscopy has a wide range of applications in many different fields. The phenomenon of circular dichroism using UV CD is very sensitive to the secondary structure of polypeptides and proteins. Also, it can be used to investigate charge-transfer transitions. CD spectroscopy is used extensively to study chiral molecules of all types and sizes, but it is in the study of large biological molecules where it finds its most important applications.

A primary use is in analyzing the secondary structure or conformation of macromolecules, particularly proteins as secondary structure is sensitive to its environment, temperature or pH, circular dichroism can be used to observe how secondary structure changes with environmental conditions or on interaction with other molecules. Structural, kinetic and thermodynamic information about macromolecules can be derived from circular dichroism spectroscopy.

In LEC we have two Jasco J-810 Spectropolarimeter devices coupled to peltier and thermal bath. One of the equipments is also coupled to stop-flow. In LEC we have lots of different sample holders, which can accommodate from 50 to 2000uL of sample.