pH-jump induced α-helix folding of poly-l-glutamic acid

► pH-jump as truly biomimetic tool to initiate non-equilibrium dynamics of biomolecules. ► Design criteria to widen the applicability of pH-jumps are developed. ► Folding of poly-l-Glu in dependence of starting pH, pH jump size and helix length. ► Length dependence provides strong evidence for a nucleation-propagation scenario.