In this paper, we describe the application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to study properties of biomolecules in different environments with particular emphasis on stabilization of biomolecules during drying. The use of different FTIR sampling accessories as well as various data analysis methods is described to study lipids and proteins in vitro as well as in vivo. Examples are presented of FTIR studies on: lipid phase behavior during drying, structural changes of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins during drying, properties of biomolecules in dried desiccation-tolerant moss tissues, and diffusion of sugars in heart valve tissues for dry preservation. It is shown how conformational and phase changes of lipids and proteins during drying can be studied by monitoring changes in characteristic infrared bands. LEA proteins display drastic changes in conformation upon drying, and increase the glass transition temperature of sugar glasses. FTIR microspectroscopy studies on tissues of the moss Physcomitrella patens are presented in relation to acquisition of desiccation tolerance in this specimen. In addition, it is shown how attenuated total reflection FTIR can be used to study diffusion of sugars in heart valve tissues for dry preservation of heart valves used as implants.
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