CAREER: Two dimensional electronic spectroscopy of energy transfer in biological systems

在这份职业计划中，PI提议进一步研究大自然如何利用和控制光能，以满足生命过程的不同需求，使用最近才在光学频率上成为可能的二维电子光谱学(2DES)。2DES提供飞秒时间分辨率，允许捕获最快的过程，同时包含从传统非线性光谱获得的信息作为子集。利用这个工具，PI将研究两个关键生物系统的设计原理：光系统II的反应中心和DNA。2DES对光系统II的研究旨在解开使氧合光合作用得以实现的能量和电荷转移的复杂序列，而在DNA中，2DES承诺详细地观察提供其遗传健壮性的机制。这项建议的教育部分旨在鼓励学生、教育工作者和普通公众欣赏围绕他们的生物物理问题，并帮助他们与基础物理建立联系。PI将以物理入门课程为目标，在互动教学环境中，将使用动手演示来说明这种联系。为了帮助物理专业的学生了解生物物理学，高级本科生实验室将增加几个实验，包括光镊子装置。该提案还旨在通过公共教育促进科学的积极形象，特别是鼓励妇女和少数群体通过外联活动和有指导的本科生研究进入科学职业生涯。这项拟议的研究也将对人工采光系统的设计产生影响。

In this CAREER proposal the PI proposes to further investigate how nature harnesses and controls light energy to meet the diverse demands of life processes using two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) that has only recently become possible at optical frequencies. 2DES provides femtosecond time resolution, allowing the fastest processes to be captured, while containing the information derived from conventional nonlinear spectroscopies as a subset. With this tool, the PI will study the design principles of two key biological systems: the reaction center of photosystem II, and DNA. 2DES studies of photosystem II aim to unravel the complex sequence of energy and charge transfer that enable oxygenic photosynthesis, while in DNA, 2DES promises a detailed view of the mechanisms that furnish its genetic robustness. The educational component of this proposal aims to encourage students, educators, and the general public to appreciate the biophysical questions surrounding them and to help them make connections to the underlying physics. The PI will target introductory physics classes where hands-on demonstrations illustrating such connections will be used in an interactive teaching context. To help physics students appreciate biophysics, several experiments will be added to the advanced undergraduate laboratory, including an optical tweezers setup. The proposal also aims to promote a positive image of science through public education, and in particular to encourage women and minorities to enter careers in science through outreach activities and mentored undergraduate research. The proposed research will have impact on the design of artificial light-harvesting systems as well.