Caught soap-handed: Understanding how soap molecules help proteins get in and out of shape
Friday, February 7, 2020 - 13:11
in Physics & Chemistry
Understanding the interactions between proteins and soap molecules (surfactants) has long been important for the industry, particularly within detergents and cosmetics. The anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is known to unfold globular proteins, while the nonionic surfactant octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E8) does the opposite, i.e. it helps proteins fold into shape again.