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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Measuring Spatially- and Directionally-varying Light Scattering from Biological Material
Published on: May 20, 2013
Static and dynamic light scattering of biological macromolecules: what can we learn?
1Department of Chemical Engineering University of Wisconsin 1415 Engineering Drive Madison WI 53706 USA murphy@che.wisc.edu
Abstract:
Laser light scattering comes in two major 'flavors': dynamic and static. This noninvasive technique provides a means for investigating key size and shape properties of macromolecules in solution. Light scattering has long been an indispensable tool to the polymer physical chemist, and is seeing increased use in exploring properties of biological macromolecules, alone and in association. As examples, recent investigations using light scattering have clearly demonstrated the relationship between the self-association and activity of important regulatory enzymes, and examined conformational properties of DNA and polysaccharides.
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