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Related Concept Videos

Reversible and Irreversible Processes01:14

Reversible and Irreversible Processes

The thermodynamic processes can be classified into reversible and irreversible processes. The processes that can be restored to their initial state are called reversible processes. It is only possible if the process is in quasi-static equilibrium, i.e., it takes place in infinitesimally small steps, and the system remains at equilibrium However, these are ideal processes and do not occur naturally. An ideal system undergoing a reversible process is always in thermodynamic equilibrium within...
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A thermodynamic process is a path through a sequence of states that takes a system from an initial state to a final state. In a cyclic process, the system returns to its initial state, so the changes in state properties and state functions (ΔT, Δp, ΔV, ΔU, ΔH) over one complete cycle are zero. However, heat and work transfers can still occur during the cycle, and the net heat and net work over the cycle need not be zero.A reversible process occurs when the system is infinitesimally close to...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Measuring Biomolecular DSC Profiles with Thermolabile Ligands to Rapidly Characterize Folding and Binding Interactions
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Measuring Biomolecular DSC Profiles with Thermolabile Ligands to Rapidly Characterize Folding and Binding Interactions

Published on: November 21, 2017

Model-based thermodynamic analysis of reversible unfolding processes.

Igor Drobnak1, Gorazd Vesnaver, Jurij Lah

  • 1Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. igor.drobnak@fkkt.uni-lj.si

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|June 15, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Global fitting of thermodynamic models to all experimental data is essential for accurate analysis of macromolecular unfolding. Individual data fitting can lead to incorrect conclusions about stability and mechanisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Macromolecular folding and unfolding provide insights into stability and interactions.
  • Thermodynamic parameters are typically derived from spectroscopic or calorimetric data.
  • Traditional analysis involves fitting models to individual experimental datasets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare traditional individual data fitting with global fitting approaches.
  • To evaluate the appropriateness of different thermodynamic modeling strategies.
  • To determine the reliability of thermodynamic parameters obtained from unfolding studies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA and protein unfolding using thermodynamic models.
  • Comparison of fitting thermodynamic models to individual experiments versus global datasets.
  • Evaluation of model mechanisms and thermodynamic parameter accuracy.

Main Results:

  • Individual fitting of thermodynamic models to separate experiments is often inappropriate.
  • Piece-by-piece verification can lead to incorrect unfolding mechanisms and thermodynamics.
  • Global fitting is crucial for selecting and critically evaluating thermodynamic models.

Conclusions:

  • Global fitting provides confidence in the physical meaning of obtained thermodynamic parameters.
  • Accurate characterization of macromolecular unfolding requires a global analysis approach.
  • The choice of fitting methodology significantly impacts the interpretation of thermodynamic data.