U.S.-Germany Cooperative Research: The Light-Induced, Charge-Separated State of Reaction Centers from Rhodobacter Sphaeroides

University Of Vermont & State Agricultural College, Burlington VT

Investigators

Abstract

9981613 Chu This award supports Kelvin Chu and a graduate student from the University of Vermont, and State Agricultural College in a collaboration with Guenter Fritzsch of Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt, Germany. The collaboration will use x-ray crystallography to determine the changes in protein conformation that occur as a result of the charge separation which drives energy transfer across cell membranes. A high-resolution structure of light-induced, charge -separated states will reveal the precise conformational changes responsible for charge conduction and stability of the configuration. By studying the structure as a function of temperature and illumination wavelength, they will be able to address issues concerning the dynamics and function of electron transfer and photosynthesis in biomolecules. The collaboration will also include contributions from Ilme Schlichting of the Max Planck Institute in Dortmund.