The Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopy to the Study of Biological Membranes

Abstract

Fluorescent techniques have had a dramatic impact in recent years on our knowledge of various complex biological systems and in particular of biological membranes. The measurement of fluorescence has the double advantage of being very sensitive and yet relatively easily carried out. In addition the technique is very versatile, insofar as it can provide information about molecular structure, mobility, orientation, and environment. The application of fluorescence to biochemistry has increased considerably since the introduction of extrinsic fluorescent probes, which can act as “reporters” of events and situations in otherwise nonfluorescent structures.