Structural dynamics of proteins
Photoreceptors are triggered by light. Light activation is the initial reaction step accompanied by structural rearrangement of chromophore and protein groups triggering structural changes of the protein. Light activation takes place on an ultrafast time scale (fs to ps) and limits the overall quantum yield of the reaction.
We investigate ultrafast structural changes with polarisation resolved Vis pump - IR probe spectroscopy. By combination of ultrafast electronic excitation (Vis pulse) and probing the vibrations of chemical bonds and groups by IR pulses we track structural changes in proteins in real-time in its native environment.
