Authors:

Sarah Alvarez

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About Paper:

Sarah Alvarez*, Jacob Wat*, Sajal Salim*, Mike Reppert* *Lab of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Purdue University Photosynthetic proteins have been optimized by evolution to provide for organisms' growth and survival; however, they are inefficient on a large scale, which is needed for biofuel production. By understanding the optical properties of chlorophyll-protein interactions we can manipulate these interactions and make light harvesting more efficient through site-directed mutagenesis. This research focuses on isolating the vibrational spectrum of chlorophyll a in a model protein environment. We focus in particular on the 1650-1700 cm-1 region, which provides us with information about chlorophyll-protein hydrogen interactions. Unfortunately it is masked by a protein peak, thus making it difficult to analyze the vibrational spectra of chlorophyll a. Preliminary measurements show a vibrational signal, but it is partially obscured by the protein vibrational background. Current experiments aim to use isotope substitution and microsampling to eliminate the protein vibrational signal and provide a clean window on chlorophyll vibrational properties in native proteins.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

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Co-authors:

Sarah Alvarez