RESUMEN
We report experimental results on the inactivation of encephalomyocarditis virus, M13 bacteriophage, and Salmonella typhimurium by a visible femtosecond laser. Our results suggest that inactivation of virus and bacterium by a visible femtosecond laser involves completely different mechanisms. Inactivation of viruses by a visible femtosecond laser involves the breaking of hydrogen∕hydrophobic bonds or the separation of the weak protein links in the protein shell of a viral particle. In contrast, inactivation of bacteria is related to the damage of their DNAs due to irradiation of a visible femtosecond laser. Possible mechanisms for the inactivation of viruses and bacteria are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Bacteriófago M13/efectos de la radiación , Virus de la Encefalomiocarditis/efectos de la radiación , Láseres de Estado Sólido/uso terapéutico , Salmonella typhimurium/efectos de la radiación , Animales , Bovinos , Dicroismo Circular , ADN Viral/efectos de la radiación , Microscopía de Fuerza Atómica , Microscopía de Fluorescencia por Excitación Multifotónica , Albúmina Sérica Bovina/química , Albúmina Sérica Bovina/efectos de la radiación , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia , Espectrometría Raman , Virión/efectos de la radiaciónRESUMEN
Raman spectroscopy is used to study low-wave-number (=20 cm(-1)) acoustic vibrations of the M13 phage. A well-defined Raman line is observed at around 8.5 cm(-1). 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 is shown to belong to one of the Raman-active axial modes of the M13 phage protein coat. It is expected that the detection and characterization of this low-frequency vibrational mode can be used for applications in biomedical nanotechnology such as for monitoring the process of virus functionalization and self-assembly.