Protein Characterization by Thermal Property Measurement

Different thermal analysis techniques are used to predict and to characterize the protein molecules, such as differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), isothermal scanning calorimetry (ITC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), dynamic thermo mechanical analysis (DTMA), and so on. This chapter discusses the fundamental of DSC, analysis of protein sample, different models for experimental results, and its potential applications in different fields. ITC analysis uses mostly in the protein characterization in recent days. Therefore, the different configuration of ITC, practical consideration during experimentation with ITC, and its application in various fields of protein researches are extensively discussed. DSF techniques are also widely used extensively in recent days. The chapter highlights the applications of TGA, DTA, DMA, and DTMA analysis for the protein characterization. It also discusses the thermal conductivity of the protein in a solution which is a measure of protein denaturation.