Acquisition of a Lifetime Spectrofluorometer

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With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Boston College will acquire a Spectrofluorometer with Lifetime Capability. This equipment will enhance research focused on biomolecules, biomimetic probes and compounds, and novel materials. Some specific projects include a) characterization of materials used for multiphoton optical memory; b) molecular sensors for DNA damage detection; c) DNA-fluorophore conjugates; d) development of efficient reactions for stereoselective organic synthesis; e) interactions of phospholipases with interfaces; and f) allosteric control of metabolic pathways. Investigators at several institutions in the Boston area will also use the spectrofluorometer. The fluorescence spectrometer counts photons of light in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible regions. When a sample of material is illuminated by UV light at a given frequency or energy, the reflected light consists of the original UV light, but also may contain light in the visible region of the spectrum, at a lower frequency or energy. The fluorometer is a very sensitive instrument used to detect the fluorescence signal.