Dissertation
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Approaches to Study Biologically Relevant Reactions: Examples from Amyloid Aggregation to Enzymes
This thesis explores how electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy can be used to investigate key biochemical processes.
- Author
- L. Passerini
- Date
- 02 September 2025
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
EPR is a magnetic resonance technique that provides unique insights into the structure and dynamics of molecules containing unpaired electrons, such as metal ions or spin-labeled proteins. This work combines biochemical preparation with spectroscopic innovation to study molecular systems relevant to health and catalysis.
Key achievements include a better understanding of spin label behavior in solution, new methods to monitor protein aggregation linked to neurodegenerative diseases, and the development of advanced techniques to capture and analyze short-lived reaction intermediates in enzymes using high-field EPR. Additionally, the thesis demonstrates how EPR can be applied to systems with multiple interacting metal centers, revealing that even complex molecular architectures can be studied with precision.
By extending the range of systems accessible to EPR, this work advances both methodology and application in the field. It highlights how careful experimental design, supported by state-of-the-art instrumentation, can provide detailed insights into the molecular world. The approaches developed here offer promising tools for future research in structural biology, enzymology, and beyond.