Proteins are dynamic structures that are in constant fluctuations, and their ability to undergo structural changes is critical to their function. However, their fastest dynamics in thermal equilibrium have remained largely unexplored. In this work, studies that examine the dynamics of aqueous proteins using two-dimensional infrared echo spectroscopy (2D IR) are presented. In particular, investigations of fast fluctuations in proteins and peptides within the context of structural changes upon denaturation are discussed. 2D IR is a nonlinear optical spectroscopic technique that can measure ultrafast dynamics of complex molecules in the picoseconds regime, timescales ~6-10 orders of magnitude faster than nuclear magnetic resonance. In addition, the relatively low energy mid-IR laser pulses used in this study probe the relevant nuclear degrees of freedom without significantly perturbing the protein structure or dynamics. Brief descriptions of the experimental setup and methods, as well as analysis and interpretation, are given.

The advent of laser-based sources of ultrafast infrared pulses has extended the study of very fast molecular dynamics to the observation of processes manifested through their effects on the vibrations of molecules. In addition, non-linear infrared spectroscopic techniques make it possible to examine intra- and intermolecular interactions and how such interactions evolve on very fast time scales, but also in some instances on very slow time scales. Ultrafast Infrared Vibrational Spectroscopy is an advanced overview of the field of ultrafast infrared vibrational spectroscopy based on the scientific research of the leading figures in the field. The book discusses experimental and theoretical topics reflecting the latest accomplishments and understanding of ultrafast infrared vibrational spectroscopy. Each chapter provides background, details of methods, and explication of a topic of current research interest. Experimental and theoretical studies cover topics as diverse as the dynamics of water and the dynamics and structure of biological molecules. Methods covered include vibrational echo chemical exchange spectroscopy, IR-Raman spectroscopy, time resolved sum frequency generation, and 2D IR spectroscopy. Edited by a recognized leader in the field and with contributions from top researchers, including experimentalists and theoreticians, this book presents the latest research methods and results. It will serve as an excellent resource for those new to the field, experts in the field, and individuals who want to gain an understanding of particular methods and research topics.

This unique volume presents a comprehensive but accessible introduction to the field of ultrafast two-dimension infrared (2D IR) vibrational echo spectroscopy based on the pioneering work of Professor Michael D Fayer, Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, USA. It contains in one place a qualitative introduction to the field of 2D IR spectroscopy and a comprehensive set of scientific papers that underlie the qualitative discussion. The introductory material contains several detailed illustrations, and is based on the Centenary Lecture at the Indian Institute of Science given by Professor Fayer July 16, 2008 as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of IIS in Bangalore, India. The second part of the volume contains reprints of Fayer's relevant papers. The compilation will be very useful because it presents the historical background, motivation, methodology, and experimental results at a level that is accessible to the non-expert. The reprints of the scientific papers, from review articles to detailed theoretical papers, provide rigorous supporting material so that the reader can delve as deeply as desired into the subject.

The dynamic structure of water and its hydrogen bond network are important in nature. Water molecules make highly directed hydrogen bonds that allow it to form extended hydrogen bond networks in the bulk. In this extended network, water's directional hydrogen bonds are readily fluctuating and exchanging. When interacting with molecules other than itself, water behaves differently than what is observed in the bulk. The dynamics of water molecules in a heterogeneous environment is dictated in large part by the size and hydrogen bonding nature of the interacting non-water species. While water still forms directed hydrogen bonds in heterogeneous environments, the dynamics of the water molecules are altered by disruption of water's extended hydrogen bond network. The studies described herein are concerned with how water's orientational and structural dynamics change as it interacts with non-water species in solution which has relevance to chemical and biological systems. Ultrafast infrared spectroscopic techniques are used to examine water and its hydrogen bonding network. These methods interrogate molecular systems with femtosecond infrared pulses which can probe the dynamics of water molecules (100s of fs to ps) on the time scale with which they move. Changes in local molecular structure can be monitored by observing changes in vibrational frequency. The stretching mode of deuterated hydroxyl (OD) groups serves as the vibrational probe for the experiments. In these studies, both two-dimensional infrared vibrational echo (2D IR) spectroscopy and polarization selective pump-probe spectroscopy are employed to monitor the dynamics of water molecules in non-aqueous environments. The pump-probe experiments provide information on both the vibrational lifetime and orientational relaxation of water molecules within the sample. 2D IR experiments characterize the spectral diffusion of the vibrational mode through the frequency-frequency correlation function (FFCF) which monitors the structural evolution of water's hydrogen bonds. The dynamics of water in two systems are discussed in this thesis. The first study examines the dynamics of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/water solutions over a wide range of water concentrations. Both linear IR absorption spectra and vibrational population relaxation studies show that water-water and water-DMSO interactions are present, even at very low water concentration. Though water forms multiple hydrogen bonding partners, observation of a single ensemble anisotropy indicates the concerted reorientation between water and DMSO molecules in solution. In addition to OHD-OKE experiments, which track the orientational relaxation timescales to be similar to that of water suggests that the reorientation of water is coupled to that of the DMSO molecules in solution. Interpretation of FFCF measurements from the 2D IR experiment shows fast, local hydrogen bond fluctuations and slower longer structural fluctuations associated with global hydrogen bond rearrangement. In the second system, the vibrational dynamics of spatially isolated water molecules were examined in the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmImPF6). The antisymmetric and symmetric modes of D2O are well resolved, which is unusual for the condensed phase. The spectral separation of the two peaks make it possible to study the inter and intramolecular dynamics of a vibrationally excited water molecule. Examination of the intramolecular dynamics focused mainly on the redistribution of vibrational energy throughout the water molecule. Both population exchange between vibrational modes and excited-state relaxation were monitored to determine the timescales vibrational energy exchange and relaxation. In addition, coherent quantum beats were observed in short time amplitude and frequency correlation trajectories. Oscillations in the crosspeak shape, from highly correlated to slightly anti-correlated, show that coherent transfer of energy between the two modes occurs in a slightly anti-correlated fashion. The slight anti-correlation can be explained by a distribution in the coupling strength between the local hydroxyl modes. The water's dynamics as influenced by the surrounding salt molecules was examined using both FFCF of the crosspeak shape as well as the orientational relaxation. Timescales for orientational relaxation and structural rearrangements of the isolated water molecules within solution were determined.

This book presents a critical assessment of progress on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the structure of proteins, including brief reviews of the history of the field along with coverage of current clinical and in vivo applications. The book, in honor of Oleg Jardetsky, one of the pioneers of the field, is edited by two of the most highly respected investigators using NMR, and features contributions by most of the leading workers in the field. It will be valued as a landmark publication that presents the state-of-the-art perspectives regarding one of today's most important technologies.

Much of what we know about atoms, molecules, and the nature of matter has been obtained using spectroscopy over the last one hundred years or so. In this book we have collected together twenty chapters by eminent scientists from around the world to describe their work at the cutting edge of molecular spectroscopy. These chapters describe new methodology and applications, instrumental developments, and theory which is taking spectroscopy into new frontiers. The range of topics is broad. Lasers are utilized in much of the research, but their applications range from sub-femtosecond spectroscopy to the study of viruses and also to the investigation of art and archeological artifacts. Three chapters discuss work on biological systems and three others represent laser physics. The recent advances in cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS), surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS), and microwave techniques are all covered. Chapters on electronic excited states, molecular dynamics, symmetry applications, and neutron scattering are also included and demonstrate the wide utility of spectroscopic techniques. - Provides comprehensive coverage of present spectroscopic investigations - Features 20 chapters written by leading researchers in the field - Covers the important role of molecular spectroscopy in research concerned with chemistry, physics, and biology

The almost universal presence of water in our everyday lives and the very `common' nature of its presence and properties possibly deflects attention from the fact that it has a number of very unusual characteristics which, furthermore, are found to be extremely sensitive to physical parameters, chemical environment and other influences. Hydrogen-bonding effects, too, are not restricted to water, so it is necessary to investigate other systems as well, in order to understand the characteristics in a wider context. Hydrogen Bond Networks reflects the diversity and relevance of water in subjects ranging from the fundamentals of condensed matter physics, through aspects of chemical reactivity to structure and function in biological systems.