Molecular Biophysics and Soft Matter
 
 
Facilities


Atomic Force Microscope
Time-resolved luminescence
Confocal and two photon microscope
Raman spectrometers
IR spectrometer
OA and PL spectrometers
Light scattering nano sizer
Sample preparation laboratory
Helium liquefier

 
External facilities


TEM
SEM

 
DiFi facilities


Reactor
VUV spectrometer
Laser and in situ OA
EPR spectrometer
Circular dichroism

 


Optical Absorption and stationary Luminescence Laboratories
DiFi Laboratories and CNR-IBF laboratories

Different optical absorption (OA) spectrometer and a stationary photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer are used in these laboratories to study the optical properties of proteins. In fact, Steady state-Fluorescence spectroscopy is one of the most widely used experimental techniques in biophysics and biochemistry. It is really sensitive to conformational and structural changes occurring in biomolecules and particularly useful in studying protein dynamical properties since fluorescence signals are extremely sensitive to the microenvironment of fluorophores. Although this technique does not give detailed structural information it acquire a noteworthy relevance if the study of various fluorescence observable is combined with other techniques in the global analysis of the phenomenon of interest. Our experimental approach mainly consists in a kinetic study of steady-state fluorescence of intrinsic chromophores (tryptophans), when they are present in protein structure and of specific fluorescent dyes such us 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and Thioflavin T (ThT).

 


OA/PL spectrometer: ACTON assembled
One beam assembled spectrometer for contemporary OA and PL static measurements.

Light source: Xenon Lamp 75 W
Excitation Spectral range : 190 - 1000 nm
Detection OA: Photomultiplier Acton PD471 (200-1100 nm)
Detection PL:1340x400 CCD PIXIS 400BR Air cooled
Emission Spectral range : 200 - 1100 nm
Spectral Resolution: 0.1 nm

CNR-IBF Laboratory - Technological Transfer Project
" Oil Olive Quality Control"
- POR Sicilia - Mis. 3.15-C

 

  
 


OA spectrometer: SHIMADZU 2401 PC
Double beam absorption spectrometer with incorporated Peltier

Light sources: Deuterium discharge tube (190-350 nm) and halogen lamp (350-900 nm)
Spectral range : 190 - 900 nm
Spectral Resolution: 0.1 nm
Detection: Photomultiplier R-928

 

CNR-IBF Laboratory - Technological Transfer Project
" Oil Olive Quality Control"
- POR Sicilia - Mis. 3.15-C
 
 

Fluorescence spectrometer: VARIAN CARY ECLIPSE
Stationary photoluminescence spectrometer

Light source : 30 W Xenon Flash lamp + Monochromator
Emission spectral range : 190nm-750nm
Spectral resolution : 0.1 nm (emission and excitation)
Detection: Photomultiplier

CNR-IBF Laboratory - Technological Transfer Project
" Oil Olive Quality Control"
- POR Sicilia - Mis. 3.15-C
 
 

Fluorescence spectrometer: JASCO FP6500
Stationary photoluminescence spectrometer

Light source : 150W Xenon lamp + Monochromators
Emission spectral range : 190nm-750nm
Spectral resolution : 0.1 nm (emission and excitation)
Detection: Photomultiplier

 

This laboratory is integrated in MeSIAM - Regional Laboratory of CNISM