| Classical models of elastic molecular modes are used in biophysical and pharmaceutical analysis to predict or explain conformational properties of biomacromolecules, whilst approximated quantum equations are used to model sub-cellular systems in molecular dynamics. By investigating the relationship between chemical structure and the modal properties of macromolecules, it may be possible to make improved approximations about the dynamics of macromolecular interaction. High frequency ultrasound may be a useful method for probing this relationship; this is based upon an assumption that the facets of tetrahertz excitation of simple molecules and megahertz excitation of cellular systems will also be found in gigahertz excitation of macromolecules and molecular assemblies. If this assumption proves true, then it should be possible to influence molecular systems with high frequency ultrasound and model acoustic propagation through molecular systems. We are currently producing a thin film transducer that will allow experimental study of protein and other macromolecular dynamics using high frequency (estimated 300MHz-30GHz) ultrasound. Using this apparatus we will investigate basic physical chemical interactions before extending the method to in vitro and in vivo biochemical systems. As we can expect the acoustic signatures of larger proteins to be more complex, it may be necessary to use an array of transducers to produce multiple signals, thus ˇcomposing˘ for molecules. We expect this work to be useful for biophysical analysis, acoustic fingerprinting for medical biomarker sensing as well as potential therapeutic use. |
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