Applications of infrared spectroscopy to study proteins

Owing to its sensitivity to chemical makeup and structure, one of the most used approaches to analyze the structure of small molecules is infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In addition to its sensitivity, IR spectroscopy provides extensive data to study protein structure, biological systems, molecular and chemical processes, and mechanisms of protein misfolding, folding, and unfolding. The use of information received from the IR spectrum is not only limited to the analysis of proteins but also used to explore other biological systems such as the classification of microbes and the identification of bacterial strains. IR spectroscopy has a wide range of applications ranging from small soluble proteins to large membrane proteins. The method requires less effort, is economical, and gives high time resolution within a short span of measurement time and with a low amount of sample requirement. This article discusses the applicability of the middle region of the IR spectra for studying protein reactions utilizing reaction-driven IR difference spectroscopy.