Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heiko Lokstein, Gernot Renger, Jan P. Goetze
Summary: Chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls, and carotenoids are important pigments in photosynthetic organisms, playing a crucial role in light-harvesting and energy transformation. Recent research has made significant progress in understanding the structures and functions of light-harvesting complexes, reaction centers, and photosystems, highlighting the importance of these complexes in adapting to environmental conditions and regulating energy processes. The structural diversity in photosynthetic antenna designs is becoming increasingly apparent, with light-harvesting complexes commonly forming trimeric structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anish Kumar Das, Sourav Biswas, Surya Sekhar Manna, Biswarup Pathak, Sukhendu Mandal
Summary: An atom-precise silver nanocluster was used as a platform to fabricate an artificial light-harvesting system with high energy transfer efficiency. The emission property of the nanocluster was controlled by surface molecular motion and beta-cyclodextrin. The fabricated system achieved a 93% energy transfer efficiency and efficient photocurrent generation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenwen Wang, Zhonglin Yang, Yujia Gu, Zelei Wu, Guixin Wang, Guinan Chen, Minchu Huang, Chenhui Xu, Cui Ye, Wang Zhang, Jianwei Nai, Yongwu Peng, Jun Pan, Changhui Ye
Summary: By combining a reducing species and a thin layer of UV shielding material, the stability and optical performance issues of silver nanowire transparent conductive films under UV light illumination have been successfully addressed, resulting in excellent stability and minimal variation in sheet resistance.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Lin Liu, Xue-Ying Lu, Mei-Li Zhang, Yi-Xia Ren, Ji-Jiang Wang, Xiao-Gang Yang
Summary: We report the synthesis, structure, and photophysical properties of a novel layered metal-organic framework (MOF). The integration of the MOF with coumarin 6 (CM6) results in an efficient artificial light-harvesting system with extended absorption band. Photoelectric measurements demonstrate highly enhanced photoelectric switching performance.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Spectroscopy
Karolina Sulowska, Ewa Rozniecka, Joanna Niedziolka-Jonsson, Sebastian Mackowski
Summary: We developed a method to align and fix silver nanowires in a microchannel and on glass substrates. The attachment to the substrate is strong and stable, with no change in their angles over minutes. Using wide-field fluorescence imaging, we observed specific conjugation between photoactive proteins and silver nanowires in real time for highly concentrated protein solutions in both microchannel and chip geometry. These results suggest the potential use of aligned silver nanowires as plasmonic fluorescence sensing platforms.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Xiaoli Sun, Qingchuan Ye, Yi Liu, Wenqing Sun, Chi Pang, Yuechen Jia, Feng Chen
Summary: Localized surface plasmon resonance from metallic nanoparticles (NPs) under optical excitation brings out intriguing applications in photonics. We realize plasmon-enhanced Raman scattering of two-dimensional (2D) materials (up to 19 times of magnitude for SnSe2 and 12 times for MoS2) via embedded silver nanoparticles in fused silica glass (hereby Ag NPs:glass), suggesting that the fabricated ion-modified multifunctional substrate shows a good compatibility that couple with 2D nanosheets. Moreover, the existence of insulating layers of SiO2 blocks the direct electron transfer and protects the intrinsic properties of surface materials, the Ag NPs:glass substrate exhibits excellent environmental stability and reusability, maintaining higher enhancement ability after a number of repeated uses.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jia Sun, Aili Feng, Xia Wu, Xiaowen Che, Weizhi Zhou
Summary: A composite fluorescent nanoprobe based on metal enhanced fluorescence effect of gelatin-coated silver nanoparticles was developed for selective and sensitive detection of dopamine. The probe showed a low detection limit and good selectivity, making it a promising approach for dopamine detection in human serum samples.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Huihui Hu, Lingzhen Zeng, Zhe Li, Tianbao Zhu, Cheng Wang
Summary: A molecular catalyst [(TCPP)Pt-II] was reported for H-2 evolution, with chloranilic acid as a sacrificial electron donor, and integration into a light-harvesting network significantly increased its activity by about 830 times.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Jing-Wen Wu, Rong Cong, Su Xu, Yue-Feng Liu
Summary: The potential of using metallic structures with photonic singularities for harvesting light has been demonstrated in nanophotonics, sensing, and bio-medical applications. A new method for achieving massive photonic singularities for spatially modulated light harvesting is proposed. The method allows for localized light confinement at spatially distributed singularities.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yi-Xiong Hu, Pei-Pei Jia, Chang-Wei Zhang, Xing-Dong Xu, Yanfei Niu, Xiaoli Zhao, Qian Xu, Lin Xu, Hai-Bo Yang
Summary: A dual-donor artificial light-harvesting system was efficiently constructed through hierarchical self-assembly approaches involving metal-ligand coordination interactions, host-guest interactions, and hydrophobic interactions, demonstrating higher energy transfer efficiency and antenna effects compared to a model single-donor artificial LHS. This research provides an efficient strategy for constructing artificial LHSs with high energy transfer efficiency and antenna effects.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xiaoying Pan, Jun Hu, Jialiang Li, Yufei Zhai, Song Li, Min Wang, Takashiro Tsukamoto, Shuji Tanaka
Summary: A novel complex luminophore was designed in this study, in which the local intensity of excitation light was enhanced by the localized surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles, leading to improved fluorescence intensity and temperature sensitivity of the sensor array.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Wenfu Liu, Xin Lio, Yinling Wang, Bin Wen
Summary: Systematic examination shows that light-harvesting of single rectangular nanowires is more efficient compared to square nanowires, attributed to the enhanced leaky mode resonances and longer light path achieved by adjusting the shape of the nanowires. Numerical results demonstrate a significant enhancement in photocurrent of single rectangular silicon nanowires, indicating the potential for improved light-harvesting by transitioning from symmetrical square to rectangular nanowires.
JOURNAL OF NANOELECTRONICS AND OPTOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Henrik Myja, Zhiqiao Yang, Irene A. Goldthorpe, Alexander J. B. Jones, Kevin P. Musselman, Annika Grundmann, Holger Kalisch, Andrei Vescan, Michael Heuken, Tilmar Kuemmell, Gerd Bacher
Summary: Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers have emerged as highly promising semiconducting materials for optoelectronic applications, with their direct band gap in the visible to near-infrared spectral range. In this work, transparent light-emitting devices (LEDs) were fabricated using TMDC monolayers and a silver nanowire (AgNW) network as a transparent top electrode. The devices showed good performance with an average transmittance of over 60% in the visible spectral range, emissive areas of several mm(2), and a turn-on voltage of around 3 V.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ethan R. Sauve, Don M. Mayder, Saeid Kamal, Martins S. Oderinde, Zachary M. Hudson
Summary: This study describes the performance of a novel imidazoacridine-based material in visible-light mediated energy transfer (EnT) photocatalysis. The organic photosensitizer ACR-IMAC exhibited comparable efficiency to metal-based photosensitizers in photocycloaddition reactions, and demonstrated high regio- and diastereocontrol with good yields. The material successfully synthesized cyclobutane-containing bi-tri- and tetracylic scaffolds with broad tolerance to functional groups relevant to drug discovery campaigns.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Aleksandra Orzechowska, Joanna Fiedor, Pawel Kulakowski
Summary: Chlorophylls and carotenoids can be used for molecular communications at the nanoscale, with exceptional properties such as energy harvesting and low energy consumption. Spectroscopic experiments confirm the energy transfer efficiency and photochemical efficiency of the photosystem II complex, indicating the potential of photosynthetic systems for nanocommunications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sonia Kotowicz, Mateusz Korzec, Katarzyna Malarz, Aleksandra Krystkowska, Anna Mrozek-Wilczkiewicz, Sylwia Golba, Mariola Siwy, Sebastian Mackowski, Ewa Schab-Balcerzak
Summary: A new series of 1,8-naphtalimides containing an imine bond at the 3-position of the naphthalene ring was synthesized and studied for their properties and bioimaging capabilities. These compounds showed specific melting temperature ranges and underwent thermal decomposition, as well as exhibited unique electrochemical behavior and photoluminescence activities in various environments. Despite some challenges like incomplete energy transfer, the compounds have potential applications in biological studies and diagnostic imaging.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sonia Kotowicz, Mateusz Korzec, Agnieszka Katarzyna Pajak, Sylwia Golba, Jan Grzegorz Malecki, Mariola Siwy, Justyna Grzelak, Sebastian Mackowski, Ewa Schab-Balcerzak
Summary: In this study, six novel symmetrical bis-(imino-1,8-naphthalimides) compounds with different core and N-substituent structures were synthesized and characterized for their thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties. The compounds showed stability at high temperatures and demonstrated electrochemical activity for reductions and oxidations. They had deep LUMO levels and emitted light from blue to yellow, with potential for light emission under voltage in devices incorporating neat compounds or blends with PVK:PBD.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bernd Ackermann, Beatrix Duenschede, Bjoern Pietzenuk, Bo Hojen Justesen, Ute Kraemer, Eckhard Hofmann, Thomas Guenther Pomorski, Danja Schuenemann
Summary: Members of the Oxa1/YidC/Alb3 protein family are involved in the insertion, folding, and assembly of membrane proteins in mitochondria, bacteria, and chloroplasts. The thylakoid membrane protein Alb3 interacts with ribosomes during posttranslational insertion of specific proteins, while Alb4, a homolog located in the same membrane, does not show ribosome binding. Alb3 contacts ribosomes via its C-terminal region and at least one additional binding site within its hydrophobic core.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Tumbarello, Giampaolo Marcolin, Elisa Fresch, Eckhard Hofmann, Donatella Carbonera, Elisabetta Collini
Summary: This study investigated the energy transfer from carotenoids to chlorophylls in marine algae using two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy. Relevant details on the mechanism of excitation transfer were unveiled by comparing mutant and normal systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcin Szalkowski, Dorota Kowalska, Julian David Janna Olmos, Joanna Kargul, Sebastian Mackowski
Summary: One of the crucial challenges for science is the development of alternative pollution-free and renewable energy sources. Solar energy, especially solar fuel cells employing photosynthetic reaction centers, shows great potential due to their efficient photo-powered operation. However, the photobleaching of biomolecules limits their application in such cells. In this study, we investigated the relationship between photodamage dynamics of photosystem I and excitation wavelength, and achieved plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence using metallic nanostructures. Our findings provide insights for improving the photostability of PSI and optimizing biomimetic solar fuel cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Martyna Jankowska, Karolina Sulowska, Kamil Wiwatowski, Joanna Niedziolka-Jonsson, Sebastian Mackowski
Summary: In this study, fluorescence microscopy was used to image protein conjugation to Ni-NTA modified silver nanowires in real time. The results showed that silver nanowires can enhance the fluorescence emission of single proteins, and real-time imaging experiments successfully observed the specific attachment of proteins to the nanowires. This study contributes to the design of a universal and efficient real-time sensing platform.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Abdulkadir Yayci, Nathalie Bachmann, Tim Dirks, Eckhard Hofmann, Julia E. Bandow
Summary: This study identified and characterized novel DyP-type peroxidases from Streptomyces chartreusis NRRL 3882, and found that they exhibited distinct preferences in operating conditions and stability. The findings suggest that having different DyP variants in one organism may confer evolutionary benefits. DyP-type peroxidases can be applied in biocatalysis and bioremediation.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Szechynska-Hebda, Maria Lewandowska, Damian Witon, Yosef Fichman, Ron Mittler, Stanislaw M. Karpinski
Summary: A new type of plant-to-plant direct communication involving electrical signaling, reactive oxygen species, and photosystem networks is revealed, showing long-distance signal transmission and adaptation in a plant community.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marharyta Varatnitskaya, Julia Fasel, Alexandra Mueller, Natalie Lupilov, Yunlong Shi, Kristin Fuchs, Marco Krewing, Christoph Jung, Timo Jacob, Barbara Sitek, Julia E. Bandow, Kate S. Carroll, Eckhard Hofmann, Lars I. Leichert
Summary: This study helps to identify the residues responsible for RidA's chaperone-like function using a combination of LC-MS/MS analysis, chemo-proteomic approach, and mutagenesis study. The enhanced chaperone activity of RidA is associated with the loss of positive charges on the protein surface and increased overall protein hydrophobicity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sonia Kotowicz, Mateusz Korzec, Jan Grzegorz Malecki, Sylwia Golba, Mariola Siwy, Sebastian Mackowski, Ewa Schab-Balcerzak
Summary: In this research, six novel unsymmetrical imino-1,8-naphthalimides (AzNI) were synthesized and characterized. The compounds exhibited thermal stability and showed different emission colors in solution and in the solid-state. The electrochemical analysis revealed their reduction and oxidation processes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jifu Duan, Anja Hemschemeier, David J. Burr, Sven T. Stripp, Eckhard Hofmann, Thomas Happe
Summary: In this study, the crystal structures of CN--treated [FeFe]-hydrogenase CpI from Clostridium pasteurianum were obtained, revealing that extrinsic CN- binds to the open coordination site of the cofactor. The binding of CN- leads to conformational changes in conserved residues within the proton transfer pathway, potentially facilitating efficient proton transfer. This observation provides important insights into the mechanism of CN- inhibition and proton transfer in hydrogenases.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Mann, Kristin Labudda, Sophie Zimmermann, Kai Ulrich Vocke, Raphael Gasper, Carsten Koetting, Eckhard Hofmann
Summary: This study presents time-resolved FTIR spectroscopic measurements of ATP binding and hydrolysis reaction in full-length MsbA. The reaction rates were determined and the study paves the way for investigations of allocrite transport in full-length MsbA using FTIR spectroscopy.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Brocks, Chandan K. Das, Jifu Duan, Shanika Yadav, Ulf-Peter Apfel, Subhasri Ghosh, Eckhard Hofmann, Martin Winkler, Vera Engelbrecht, Lars V. Schaefer, Thomas Happe
Summary: This study proposes a new strategy to improve the O-2 stability of [FeFe]-hydrogenases by blocking the O-2 diffusion pathway and protecting the catalytic cofactor.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Katarzyna Choroba, Anna Maron, Anna Switlicka, Agata Sztapa-Kula, Mariota Siwy, Justyna Grzelak, Sebastian Mackowski, Tomasz Pedzinski, Ewa Schab-Balcerzak, Barbara Machura
Summary: The ground- and excited-state properties of three novel complexes were investigated using spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Comparisons with previously reported systems showed that the attachment of the N-carbazolyl substituent had less influence on the nature of the triplet excited state, compared to the pyrrolidine group. Preliminary examination of the ligand structural modifications on light emission was conducted using electroluminescence spectra of diodes containing the synthesized new molecules in an active layer.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)