Rhodospsin is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is responsible for vision in dim light. Light isomerizes the protein's retinal chromophore and triggers concerted movements of several transmembrane helices. Here, an approach involving mutant rhodopsins and infrared spectroscopy enabled changes in the electrostatic environment to be seen as rhodopsin proceeded along its activation pathway. Early conformational changes were observed that precede the well-known larger movements of the transmembrane helices

Biophysical chemist Nadine Gassner, associate director of the University of California at Santa Cruz's Chemical Screening Center, has won the Ellen Weaver Award for mentoring, from the Northern California chapter of the Association of Women in Science