Resonance Raman

The Raman facility includes 7 spectrometers with many accessories. Broad temperature range possible (thermostats 273-320 K; cryostats 4-250 K). Samples in a wide range of physical forms can be analysed, in particular those containing pigmented molecules (see below). The laboratory is specialised in particular in resonance Raman spectroscopy of pigment cofactors in biology(carotenoids, chlorophylls, hemes, flavins …), including expertise in in vivo investigations of biochemical, regulatory and photo-induced reactions.

Sample state (liquid, powder, gel, solid …) is only limited by signal size (presence of pigmented molecules required for studies in complex media). Recent measurements include studies of regulatory processes in photosynthetic membranes in vivo (whole leaves and whole microorganisms), and molecular structure of carotenoids and opsins in ex vivo human retina (soon to be extended to live patients).