Seminario impartido por Sara Hernández Mejías
In natural photosynthesis, light energy transfers through a dynamic protein-pigment network with a remarkable near-unity quantum efficiency. Local fluctuations in the protein structures and conformational changes play a key role in modifying the chromophore's energy landscape for efficient light harvesting. The mechanistic role of these conformational changes remains unknown due to the enormous complexity of natural photosystems. To address the challenge, we develop simplified photosystems by engineering de novo proteins with easily tunable pockets to control the chromophore's environment. The control in our designed protein scaffold allows us to modify the nature and strength of protein-chromophore interactions in a controlled way and evaluate them as bio-chrome coupling. Using time-resolved spectroscopic methods, we track exciton evolution in real-time at different bio-chrome coupling regimes to address questions on the role of the amino acids in the chromophore light conversion dynamics. Interestingly, we showed that protein dynamics affect the chromophore relaxation at different time-scales. The control we have in bio-hybrid development and modification makes our approach ideal for addressing fundamental questions in the action mechanisms of photosystems.
Fecha del seminario: 06/03/2024 12:00
Lugar del seminario: salón de actos IQF
Ponente del seminario: Sara Hernández Mejías
