RAMAN INVESTIGATION OF TEMPERATURE PROFILES OF PHOSPHOLIPID DISPERSIONS IN THE BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY NORMAN C. CRAIG, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH USA

Nicolet 6700 FT-IR Spectrometer and Associated NXR Raman Module

Variable Temperature Cell

Top View of Sample Compartment in Raman Module

Raman Spectrum of DPPC at ca 15°C

Spectrum Parameters Excitation: Nd:YVO 4 laser at 1064 nm, ca 0.5 W Analysis and detection: 180° optics, FT-IR, InGaAs Conditions: 8 cm -1 resolution, 200 scans (3 min) Sampling: 1.8 mm m. p. capillary (borosilicate glass); 50% phospholipid in D 2 O; centrifuged warm. Tiny sample size enables the experiment. Other Raman spectrometers: simpler, dispersive instruments with CCD detection and excitation with red laser light.

Raman Spectra of CH-Stretching Region at Two Temperatures Temp 15°CTemp ca 65°C

Temperature Profiles for Various Phospholipids

Acknowledgments NSF support for the instrument. Nanette Lacuesta, as a college senior, assisted in developing the experiment. Professor William H. Fuchsman first introduced the experiment in the laboratory of his biochemistry course.