Using terahertz laser, scientists change the macromolecular conformation of a polymer
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 04:01
in Physics & Chemistry
Scientists from the RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP) have, for the first time, successfully used a terahertz laser to induce permanent changes in the conformation of a polymer, giving it an increased pattern of crystallization. Conformational changes are very important for macromolecular science because they can change the characteristics of a material and, in the case of proteins, can make it either possible or impossible for them to perform a certain biological function. The work, done in collaboration with Osaka University, was published in Scientific Reports.