Investigation of Model Cell Membranes with Raman Spectroscopy: A Biochemistry Laboratory Experiment

New developments that extend the usefulness of Raman spectroscopy for the investigation of biological systems are described. One of these methods, excitation with a near-infrared laser at 1064 nm and detection with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, is applied to the investigation of temperature profiles of dispersions of phospholipids in water. These dispersions are models of biomembranes. This experiment for the undergraduate biochemisty laboratory gives students experience applying vibrational spectroscopy to the investigation of the molecular properties of biomembranes. The basis of the Raman effect is reviewed.