Abstract
With the rapid development of terahertz technologies, basic research and applications of terahertz waves in biomedicine have attracted increasing attention. The rotation and vibrational energy levels of biomacromolecules fall in the energy range of terahertz waves; thus, terahertz waves might interact with biomacromolecules. Therefore, terahertz waves have been widely applied to explore features of the terahertz spectrum of biomacromolecules. However, the effects of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules are largely unexplored. Although some progress has been reported, there are still numerous technical barriers to clarifying the relation between terahertz waves and biomacromolecules and to realizing the accurate regulation of biological macromolecules by terahertz waves. Therefore, further investigations should be conducted in the future. In this paper, we reviewed terahertz waves and their biomedical research advantages, applications of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules and the effects of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules. These findings will provide novel ideas and methods for the research and application of terahertz waves in the biomedical field.
Highlights
In past decades, terahertz technology has been widely used in various fields, such as aerospace, communications, security, and biomedicine
We reviewed progress in terahertz technology and the applications and the effects of terahertz waves on biomacromolecules
Terahertz waves altered the space conformation of biomacromolecules by exciting rotational energy levels, which in turn influenced the effects on biomacromolecules and resulted in structural and functional changes in organisms
Summary
Terahertz technology has been widely used in various fields, such as aerospace, communications, security, and biomedicine. The picosecond optical pulse of a terahertz wave results in a wide electromagnetic frequency band ranging from GHz to tens of THz. it can be used to analyze the absorption spectrum of complex biological samples, as well as radio communication [6]. The proteins in the biological tissues could form water shell structures with water by hydrogen bonds [10], which further enhances the absorption of the terahertz wave.
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