Dynamics of multi-domain macro-molecules in the context of polymer physics

Conformational ensembles of synthetic polymers and intrinsic disorder in proteins are both aspects of the varying degree of order and disorder that are crucial for the properties of macro-molecules. Neutron scattering techniques, in particular small angle scattering and neutron spin echo, have an important contributions to understand conformation and dynamics of macro-molecules with regards to polymer physics. The possibility for altering and defining accessible conformational spaces through localized or intermediate and long-range interactions of segments along a polypeptide chain are limited by chain stiffness and local hydrodynamic friction. Our research aims for a deeper understanding of this challenging topic. We will present the dynamics of several bio-molecular species based on results of neutron scattering and the comparison with secondary and segmental relaxations, Rouse and reptation dynamics in polymers, with emphasis on the significant difference between dynamics of random coil of synthetic polymers and the dynamics of globular proteins.