Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Structural Characterization Of Biomolecules Using Tandem Non- Linear And Linear Ion Mobility, Action Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry And Molecular Dynamics, Jacob Edward Porter

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis comprises the use of novel gas-phase spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques complemented with molecular dynamics for the structural characterization of biomolecules: from small model systems to large proteins. In particular, complementary linear and non-linear ion mobility, mass spectrometry and action spectroscopy has been applied to the separation and characterization of native and kinetic intermediate states of biomolecular ions. This suite of tools, comprising ion mobility in tandem with non-ergodic fragmentation and action spectroscopy, provided unique information on the conformational space, folding and binding dynamics of single stranded DNA, peptides, peptide-cofactor and protein systems. Theoretical modeling provided candidate structures …