Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrius Gelzinis, Ramunas Augulis, Claudia Buechel, Bruno Robert, Leonas Valkunas
Summary: Diatoms are a significant group of algae contributing a quarter of the global primary production. Recent structural studies on FCP complexes have provided insights, but there are discrepancies with ultrafast spectroscopy results. Researchers have developed a trimer-based FCP model for Cyclotella meneghiniana based on available structures and electron microscopy data.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Gorski, Yuval Mazor
Summary: This protocol describes a method to isolate and study Photosystem I (PSI) and its antenna complex, Light Harvesting Complex I (LHCI), from plants. PSI-LHCI is a large membrane protein complex that plays a crucial role in light harvesting and electron transport in photosynthesis. The protocol involves homogenization of plant tissue, separation of chloroplasts, lysis of chloroplasts to recover thylakoid membranes, solubilization of thylakoid membranes, and purification of chlorophyll-containing complexes using anion exchange and sucrose gradient centrifugation. The resulting fractions are characterized to identify and study the PSI-LHCI complex. This protocol is based on previous methods developed in the lab of Nathan Nelson and provides a simplified approach for isolating and studying PSI-LHCI.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fatimah Rudayni, Tika R. Kafle, Jack Waters, Kushal Rijal, Wai-Lun Chan
Summary: By using a model interface consisting of a metallic grating and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) molecules, the energy transfer process from plasmon to molecular exciton via the plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer mechanism was resolved temporally and spatially. The energy transfer occurred within 30 fs for a distance of 20 nm, which is much larger than typical hot carrier transfer and molecule-to-molecule energy transfer processes. This ultrafast and long-range plasmon-induced energy transfer channel can boost the exciton/free carrier generation yield in semiconductor layers and extend the optical absorption to frequencies below the optical bandgap of the molecule.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Er-Ying Jiang, Yong Fan, Nghi-Van Phung, Wan-Yue Xia, Guang-Rong Hu, Fu-Li Li
Summary: Plastoglobules are lipoprotein structures in plant chromoplasts and chloroplasts, involved in carotenoid metabolism and storage. In this study, the major protein in plastoglobules, PAP, was overexpressed in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Mutants showed decreased plastoglobule diameter and increased fucoxanthin level. They also exhibited morphological differences and increased unsaturated fatty acid levels. Transcriptomic analysis revealed altered xanthophyll synthesis and storage, affecting the assembly of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein and reducing non-photochemical quenching activity. Modulating PAP expression can achieve metabolic regulation at the suborganelle level.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fatimah Rudayni, Tika R. Kafle, Jack Waters, Kushal Rijal, Wai-Lun Chan
Summary: By using a metallic grating and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) molecules, researchers have achieved temporal and spatial resolution of energy transfer from plasmon to molecular exciton through plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer mechanism. The energy transfer can occur within 30 fs over a distance of 20 nm, which is much larger than typical hot carrier transfer and molecule-to-molecule energy transfer processes. This ultrafast and long-range energy transfer channel can enhance the exciton/free carrier generation yield in semiconductor layers, even at lower photon energies.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chaochao Qin, Jie Li, Jian Song, Shuhong Ma, Jicai Zhang, Guangrui Jia, Zhaoyong Jiao, Zunlue Zhu, Yuhai Jiang, Zhongpo Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the effect of donor sizes on energy transfer from perovskite nanocrystals to chromophore molecules. Both single energy transfer and triplet transfer mechanisms have been observed between CsPbBr3 quantum dots and Rhodamine B dye. The ability to adjust optical properties via particle-size controlling provides a unique platform for perovskite-chromophore hybrid systems.
RESULTS IN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shiun-Jr Yang, Eric A. Arsenault, Kaydren Orcutt, Masakazu Iwai, Yusuke Yoneda, Graham R. Fleming
Summary: This study used 2DEV spectroscopy to analyze the spinach PSII-CC, revealing details about its dynamics and energy transfer. The study found that the dominant dynamics of the PSII-CC vary in different excitation energy regions. By separating these regions and identifying the roles of key pigments, a better understanding of the working mechanism of photosystem II can be obtained.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ashley M. Hancock, Minjung Son, Muath Nairat, Tiejun Wei, Lars J. C. Jeuken, Christopher D. P. Duffy, Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen, Peter G. Adams
Summary: Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) is a membrane protein that plays a crucial role in absorbing solar energy and transferring it to Photosystem II. A recent study enhanced absorption in the green spectral region by organizing TR and LHCII into a lipid nanodisc. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed a 60% efficiency in energy transfer and a 262% enhancement of LHCII fluorescence in the 525-625 nm range, with ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy revealing two time constants for energy transfer. Structural modeling and theoretical calculations indicated different separations for TR-to-LHCII interactions, showcasing the potential of the nanodisc-based biohybrid system in exploring photophysical interactions between chromophores and membrane proteins.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
To Quyen Truong, Yun Ji Park, Song Yi Koo, Jae-Hyeong Choi, Altai Enkhbayar, Dae-Geun Song, Sang Min Kim
Summary: In this study, it was found that low light intensity conditions led to higher FX content and productivity. The crucial roles of PtLhcf5 and PtLhcf8 in FCP biosynthesis under low light intensity were revealed. FCP formation only occurred in the early growth stage under light transition, and FCP degradation could be triggered by high light intensity throughout the cultivation period. Therefore, low light intensity conditions in the early growth stage were critical for higher FX productivity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sanja Radman, Marina Zekic, Ivana Flanjak, Ana-Marija Cikos, Stela Jokic, Igor Jerkovic
Summary: The aim of this research was to contribute to the understanding of the chemodiversity of G. barbata and E. crinita, as well as the knowledge of protected Cystoseira areas. Different extraction methods were used to analyze the chemical profiles of these two algae, revealing significant variations and differences, which are important for their taxonomic classification.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taras A. Khvorost, Leonid Yu Beliaev, Yuto Masaoka, Tsubasa Hidaka, Olesya S. Myasnikova, Alexey S. Ostras, Nikita A. Bogachev, Mikhail Yu Skripkin, Maxim S. Panov, Mikhail N. Ryazantsev, Yutaka Nagasawa, Andrey S. Mereshchenko
Summary: Ultrafast excited-state dynamics of CuBr3- complex in acetonitrile and dichloromethane solutions show rapid internal conversion from LMCT to LF state, followed by nonradiative relaxation back to the ground state with vibrational relaxation. Different predominant forms of CuBr3- complex were observed in acetonitrile ([CuBr3(CH3CN)2]-) and dichloromethane ([CuBr3CH2Cl2]-, [CuBr3(CH2Cl2)2]-, [CuBr3(CH2Cl2)3]-).
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kuldeep Singh, Murali Krishna Paidi, Akshay Kulshrestha, Pankaj Bharmoria, Subir Kumar Mandal, Arvind Kumar
Summary: In this study, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) based biorefining approach was developed for the clean separation and purification of value-added Fucoxanthin, Chlorophyll, and Biosilica from a diatom microalgae, Thalassiosira andamanica. The DESs showed higher extraction yield and selectivity compared to conventional solvents. The extracted Biosilica exhibited excellent adsorption capacity, while Chlorophyll showed good photostability.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Luz Maia, Elsa F. Vieira, Clara Grosso, Graciliana Lopes, Vitor Vasconcelos, Loic Hilliou, Cristina Delerue-Matos
Summary: This study aimed to optimize the extraction of compounds from Chondrus crispus seaweed, and found that the use of an ultrasonic bath for 40 minutes was efficient in extracting valuable compounds. The obtained extracts may have potential applications in human diet or as additives in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Quanwei Li, Kaydren Orcutt, Robert L. Cook, Javier Sabines-Chesterking, Ashley L. L. Tong, Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen, Xiang Zhang, Graham R. Fleming, K. Birgitta Whaley
Summary: Experimental evidence shows that photosynthesis is initiated by single photons rather than intense light. It is discovered that the absorption of single photons can drive the energy transfer and fluorescence emission in photosynthesis, leading to the primary charge separation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Parveen Akhtar, Gabor Sipka, Wenhui Han, Xingyue Li, Guangye Han, Jian-Ren Shen, Gyozo Garab, Howe-Siang Tan, Petar H. Lambrev
Summary: This study investigates the excitation dynamics of Photosystem II (PSII) under neutral and oxidized reaction center (RC) conditions using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The core antenna equilibration process has a lifetime of about 300 fs, regardless of the RC redox state. Additionally, slower energy equilibration is observed on timescales of 3-5 ps. PSII with neutral RC follows previously proposed models, while PSII with oxidized RC exhibits extremely fast excitation quenching.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Julia Krischer, Sarah Koenig, Wolfram Weisheit, Maria Mittag, Claudia Buechel
Summary: The C-terminus of CryP affects the redox state of flavin, while BolA and ID42612 bind to CryP through different mechanisms and are influenced by the redox state of flavin.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mindaugas Macernis, Simona Streckaite, Radek Litvin, Andrew A. Pascal, Manuel J. Llansola-Portoles, Bruno Robert, Leonas Valkunas
Summary: In this study, the absorption and vibrational properties of allene-containing carotenoids were experimentally investigated. The electronic properties of vaucheriaxanthin were successfully explained by calculations, while fucoxanthin and butanoyloxyfucoxanthin required long-range corrections to accurately determine their absorption position. Resonance Raman spectra of these carotenoids were perturbed by the presence of the allene group, which could be attributed to the increased Raman intensity of the C=C antisymmetric stretching mode in the carotenoid chain.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Austeja Mikalciute, Andrius Gelzinis, Mindaugas Macernis, Claudia Buchel, Bruno Robert, Leonas Valkunas, Jevgenij Chmeliov
Summary: Diatoms, a group of marine algae, play a significant role in global oxygen production. By studying and calculating the structure of diatom photosynthetic complexes, the foundation for modeling spectroscopic data can be established.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudio Calvaruso, Konstantinos Stefanidis, Claudia Buechel
Summary: This study compared the biochemical properties of photosystem (PS) supercomplexes isolated from diatom cells grown under low light or high light conditions. High light acclimation altered the molecular characteristics of PS and led to changes in a specific group of proteins. These findings provide new insights into the adaptability of diatoms to different environments and the mechanisms of photoprotection.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kristina Zakutauskaite, Mindaugas Macernis, Hoang H. H. Nguyen, Jennifer P. P. Ogilvie, Darius Abramavicius
Summary: We used Frenkel exciton theory to simulate the entire Q-band of a chlorophyll dimer inspired by photosystem II. The potential of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy experiment to extract the parameters of the model dimer Hamiltonian was examined through theoretical simulations. We found that by considering the local nature of Q(x) excitation, specific spectral signatures can reveal the full real-space molecular Hamiltonian, which is impossible by considering only Q(y) transitions. However, spectral congestion due to system-bath coupling and site energy disorder in realistic systems may limit the resolution of these spectral signatures.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mantas Jakucionis, Agnius Zukas, Darius Abramavicius
Summary: In this study, three quantum mechanical approaches (Davydov D-2, squeezed D-2, and multiple D-2) are systematically compared to evaluate the validity of the squeezed D-2 ansatz for describing excitation dynamics in molecular complexes. Numerical simulations of absorption and fluorescence spectra of molecular aggregates with different vibrational modes are presented. The results show that the squeezed D-2 model does not significantly improve the simulation results compared to the simplest Davydov D-2 approach.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marine Messant, Umama Hani, Thais Hennebelle, Florence Guerard, Bertrand Gakiere, Andrew Gall, Sebastien Thomine, Anja Krieger-Liszkay
Summary: This study investigates the effects of excess and deficiency of manganese on chloroplast ultrastructure and photosynthetic electron transport in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, an emerging model system.
Article
Plant Sciences
Andrea Fantuzzi, Patrycja Haniewicz, Domenica Farci, M. Cecilia Loi, Keunha Park, Claudia Buechel, Matthias Bochtler, A. William Rutherford, Dario Piano
Summary: PSIIm-S/27 contains PsbS and Psb27 subunits, while PSIIm lacks these subunits. PSIIm-S/27 shows limited oxygen evolution and slow electron transfer compared to PSIIm, but bicarbonate can activate PSIIm-S/27. The binding of PsbS and/or Psb27 inhibits forward electron transfer and lowers bicarbonate binding affinity, and bicarbonate switch plays a protective role in PSII assembly.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pranas Juknevicius, Jevgenij Chmeliov, Leonas Valkunas, Andrius Gelzinis
Summary: Machine learning approaches have gained significant attention in the chemical physics community for their ability to predict numerical properties of molecular systems with minimal computational cost. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of deep, sequential, and fully connected neural networks for predicting the excitation decay kinetics of a simple two-dimensional lattice model. We achieved excellent accuracy in predicting lattice excitation decay kinetics from model parameter values, and reasonably accurate predictions of the model parameter values from the kinetics themselves. This research also explores the potential of neural networks in solving global optimization problems related to experimental data fitting using similar models.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Laura Baliulyte, Darius Abramavicius, Saulius Bagdonas, Agne Kalnaityte, Vilius Poderys, Ricardas Rotomskis, Virginijus Barzda
Summary: Using quantum chemical calculations, this study investigated the aggregation of TPPS4 molecules as a function of solvent pH. Possible seeding elements for the aggregate were identified, and the dominance of monomeric or dimeric forms at different pH conditions was determined.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Vidmantas Jasinskas, Marius Franckevicius, Andrius Gelzinis, Jevgenij Chmeliov, Vidmantas Gulbinas
Summary: The best perovskite solar cells currently have efficiencies higher than 25%, but many fundamental processes that determine their operation are not fully understood. In this study, the researchers investigate charge carrier motion and extraction in a typical CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPI) perovskite solar cell using ultrafast techniques. They find that photogenerated holes drift across the perovskite layer for hundreds of picoseconds, while their extraction into the hole transporting layer takes over 1 nanosecond, suggesting that the hole extraction is limited by the perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD interface. The researchers also observe fluorescence decay, indicating spatial separation of electrons and holes.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mantas Jakucionis, Agnius Zukas, Darius Abramavicius
Summary: This study investigates the linear absorption spectrum of J and H molecular aggregates using the time-dependent Dirac-Frenkel variational principle with the multi-Davydov D-2 trial wavefunction. Both the electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom are considered. The study finds that the mD(2) Ansatz is necessary for accurately predicting the absorption spectrum in all parameter regimes, while the regular Davydov D-2 Ansatz is insufficient. The study also explores the wavepacket dynamics during excitation and finds that the electron-vibrational eigenstates of the aggregate reside on non-parabolic energy surfaces.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rameez Arshad, Francesco Saccon, Pushan Bag, Avratanu Biswas, Claudio Calvaruso, Ahmad Farhan Bhatti, Steffen Grebe, Vincenzo Mascoli, Moontaha Mahbub, Fernando Muzzopappa, Alexandros Polyzois, Christo Schiphorst, Mirella Sorrentino, Simona Streckaite, Herbert van Amerongen, Eva-Mari Aro, Roberto Bassi, Egbert J. Boekema, Roberta Croce, Jan Dekker, Rienk van Grondelle, Stefan Jansson, Diana Kirilovsky, Roman Kouril, Sylvie Michel, Conrad W. Mullineaux, Klara Panzarova, Bruno Robert, Alexander Ruban, Ivo van Stokkum, Emilie Wientjes, Claudia Buechel
Summary: The latest fundamental knowledge on light-harvesting mechanisms of antenna proteins and their application in biotechnical optimization of photosynthesis are discussed in this article. The dynamic nature of antenna complexes and their adaptation to different light environments are highlighted. High-resolution microscopy and spectroscopic studies provide insights into the interactions between antennae and other thylakoid membrane components.
