Dynamics of Light Harvesting and Trapping in Photosynthesis

该项目由生命过程化学计划和生物物理学计划支持，结合超快光谱，突变体产生和表征，以及色素蛋白质生物化学来构建光收获动力学的详细图像。该项目还将解决细菌反应中心的初级电荷分离步骤。目前的膜生物化学和遗传选择方法将被用来简化和修改光合作用装置，以进行详细的光谱研究。最先进的超快光谱技术将用于研究叶绿体天线系统和光合细菌反应中心的激发能传递。将进行定点诱变，以便可以检查特定蛋白质残基对电荷分离的影响。

This project, which is supported by the Chemistry of Life Processes Program and the Biophysics Program, combines ultrafast spectroscopy, mutant generation and characterization, and pigment protein biochemistry to build a detailed picture of the dynamics of light harvesting. The project will also address the primary charge separation step in bacterial reaction centers. Current methods of membrane biochemistry, and genetic selection will be exploited to simplify and modify a photosynthetic apparatus for detailed spectroscopic studies. State-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopic techniques will be used to study excitation energy transfer in the antenna systems of chloroplasts and in the reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria. Site directed mutagenesis will be performed so that the influence of specific protein residues on the charge separation may be examined.