Motion of Biologically Relevant Molecules in Restricted
Environments
National Science Foundation
Collaborative Research in Chemistry (CRC)
Colorado State University
How does the motion
of small and simple molecules vary between free and restricted
environments?
Using
a range of sophisticated spectroscopic approaches, we will examine how
these motions can be correlated with molecular location over a range of
time- and length-scales.
These studies will
also show how restricted environments influence chemical reactions
by correlating small molecule motions and fluctuations to their
overall chemistry, including the physical behavior and folding of
biological macromolecules.
Studies will also
reveal whether restriction of molecular motion of otherwise highly
mobile molecules influence processes on biological surfaces where
reorganization of membrane components may initiate cell signaling.