Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2026 Jul 6:S0079-6107(26)00046-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2026.07.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Time-resolved spectroscopy allows direct observation of biomolecular dynamics from femtoseconds to seconds, capturing transient states crucial for understanding protein and enzyme functions. This review summarises key methods-ultrafast optical, infrared, Raman, and X-ray techniques- and their combination with computational simulations for mechanistic insights. It highlights applications in enzyme catalysis, protein folding, and conformational switching, while also discussing current challenges in resolution, synchronisation, and sample stability. Future developments in hybrid multimodal systems, AI-assisted analysis, and in vivo time-resolved studies are expected to broaden the reach and influence of these methods in structural biology and biotechnology.

PMID:42409080 | DOI:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2026.07.003