Biomolecules are organic molecules that are biologically important. Examples of biomolecules include nucleic acids; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins; filamentous (e.g. actin filaments and microtubules) and globular (e.g. hemoglobin that transports oxygen in bodies), carbohydrates and lipids. The transport of biomolecules on the nano- and micro-length scale is of interest to a number of scientists and engineering communities, ranging from life and chemical sciences to engineering and mathematics. With increasing use of biomolecules in a very broad range of applications, there has emerged a critical need to their structural characterization in diverse environments. Proteins participate in numerous functions within living organisms and it is well established that the biological function is highly dependent on the molecule's conformation that corresponds to its three-dimensional structure which may change according to surrounding natural or artificial environments. Many diseases are caused by proteins whose structures have been modified, either due to amino acid substitutions resulting from DNA changes (Anemia and Cancer) or by incorrect protein folding (Alzheimer). Interactions of proteins with lipids are the area of fundamental interest due to enormous biological importance. From the biotechnological and biomedical applications point of view, studies on lipids and proteins have been playing a significant role in developing protocols for drug delivery and immune-sensing system, various bio-molecular devices etc. The immobilization of protein without denaturation on solid support, or on lipid membrane, is extremely valuable and is the fundamental step for designing such devices. In this context, this thesis is focalized on investigating the structure-to-function twin relationship of different biomolecules (enzymes, polymers and lipids), employing a number of techniques to provide a supplementary input to this up-to-minute research field. That is it, different approaches on different biological systems but all evolving around a single aim in addressing the specific interactions leading to the unique features and functions. Different techniques will be used to characterize the interaction mechanisms, including infrared spectroscopy, Langmuir thermodynamic studies and Brewster angle microscopy.

Investigation of Structure-Function Relationship of Biomolecules, using Infrared Spectroscopic, Thermodynamic and Brewster Angle Microscopy Analyses(2011 Oct).

Investigation of Structure-Function Relationship of Biomolecules, using Infrared Spectroscopic, Thermodynamic and Brewster Angle Microscopy Analyses

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01/10/2011

Abstract

Biomolecules are organic molecules that are biologically important. Examples of biomolecules include nucleic acids; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins; filamentous (e.g. actin filaments and microtubules) and globular (e.g. hemoglobin that transports oxygen in bodies), carbohydrates and lipids. The transport of biomolecules on the nano- and micro-length scale is of interest to a number of scientists and engineering communities, ranging from life and chemical sciences to engineering and mathematics. With increasing use of biomolecules in a very broad range of applications, there has emerged a critical need to their structural characterization in diverse environments. Proteins participate in numerous functions within living organisms and it is well established that the biological function is highly dependent on the molecule's conformation that corresponds to its three-dimensional structure which may change according to surrounding natural or artificial environments. Many diseases are caused by proteins whose structures have been modified, either due to amino acid substitutions resulting from DNA changes (Anemia and Cancer) or by incorrect protein folding (Alzheimer). Interactions of proteins with lipids are the area of fundamental interest due to enormous biological importance. From the biotechnological and biomedical applications point of view, studies on lipids and proteins have been playing a significant role in developing protocols for drug delivery and immune-sensing system, various bio-molecular devices etc. The immobilization of protein without denaturation on solid support, or on lipid membrane, is extremely valuable and is the fundamental step for designing such devices. In this context, this thesis is focalized on investigating the structure-to-function twin relationship of different biomolecules (enzymes, polymers and lipids), employing a number of techniques to provide a supplementary input to this up-to-minute research field. That is it, different approaches on different biological systems but all evolving around a single aim in addressing the specific interactions leading to the unique features and functions. Different techniques will be used to characterize the interaction mechanisms, including infrared spectroscopy, Langmuir thermodynamic studies and Brewster angle microscopy.
ott-2011
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/918877
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