Observation of the low frequency vibrational modes of bacteriophage M13 in water by Raman spectroscopy.
BACKGROUND
Recently, a technique which departs radically from conventional approaches has been proposed. This novel technique utilizes biological objects such as viruses as nano-templates for the fabrication of nanostructure elements. For example, rod-shaped viruses such as the M13 phage and tobacco mosaic virus have been successfully used as biological templates for the synthesis of semiconductor and metallic nanowires.


CONCLUSIONS
Low wave number (<or= 20 cm-1) acoustic vibrations of the M13 phage have been studied using Raman spectroscopy. The experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations based on an elastic continuum model and appropriate Raman selection rules derived from a bond polarizability model. The observed Raman mode has been shown to belong to one of the Raman-active axial torsion modes of the M13 phage protein coat.


CONCLUSIONS
It is expected that the detection and characterization of this low frequency vibrational mode can be used for applications in nanotechnology such as for monitoring the process of virus functionalization and self-assembly. For example, the differences in Raman spectra can be used to monitor the coating of virus with some other materials and nano-assembly process, such as attaching a carbon nanotube or quantum dots.
Tsen
K T
KT
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA. tsen@asu.edu
Dykeman
Eric C
EC
Sankey
Otto F
OF
Lin
Nien-Tsung
NT
Tsen
Shaw-Wei D
SW
Kiang
Juliann G
JG
D017104:Bacteriophage M13 / Q000502:physiology*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D014732:Vibration; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D019065:Virus Assembly / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014867:Water