Dynamics of the Hydration Water of Antifreeze Glycoproteins.

Antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) are unique proteins that inhibit the growth of ice by a mechanism that is still unclear. We study the dynamics of water in aqueous solutions of small and large isoforms of AFGPs using polarization-resolved femtosecond infrared spectroscopy. We find that a fraction of the water molecules is strongly slowed down by the interaction with the antifreeze glycoprotein surface.

Structure and dynamics of water molecules confined in triglyceride oils.

Though it is commonly known that a small amount of water can be present in triglyceride oil, a molecular picture of how water molecules organize in the oil phase is lacking. We investigate the hydrogen-bond configuration and dynamics of water in triacetin, tributyrin and trioctanoin using linear infrared and time-resolved two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy of the water hydroxyl stretch vibration. We identify water molecules with a single strong hydrogen bond to the triglyceride, water molecules with two weaker hydrogen bonds to the triglycerides, and water clusters.

Proteins Take up Water Before Unfolding.

Proteins perform specific biological functions that strongly depend on their three-dimensional structure. This three-dimensional structure, i.e.