Resonance Raman Studies

Resonance Raman spectroscopy is a sensitive tool that is capable of detecting vibraitons for single amino acid residues(16), such as the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. This technique can also be used to estimate secondary structure by analyzing the amide II band(17,18).

Beta sheet formation can be analyzed by observing the Raman spectra for proline, since proline will not form helices(17). Resonance Raman spectroscopy is also capable of detecting small changes in the configurations of specific bonds, therefore it can also be used to monitor cis/trans isomers, like those found in proline.