A helical molecule that exhibits two lengths in response to an applied potential

Abstract

(Figure Presented) Outstanding in the electric field: Bundles of helical peptides undergo stochastic switching in response to the applied bias polarity as observed by STM. This behavior results from a conformational change between the α-helical (left) and 310-helical (right) states and affects the overall helix length. The interaction of the helical dipole moment with the applied electric field determines the preferred conformation of the peptides. © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.