Unfolding a photoswitchable azo-foldamer reveals a non-covalent reaction mechanism

Simulations on photoswitching of an azobenzene-functionalized helical mPE foldamer reveal several distinct non-covalent reaction channels. It is expected that distinct products can be selectively (de)stabilized by attaching suitable side chains to the backbone. The methodology presented could be applied to study photoinduced manipulation of AB-functionalized proteins.