Research

Our team investigates the functionality of proteins, in particular membrane proteins, by vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR und Raman). The integrated approach stretches from genetic and biochemical methodologies of protein expression and spectroscopic studies to structure determination and theoretical modelling. We are focussed on the development and application of IR and Raman spectroscopic methods to elucidate the intricate mechanism of (membrane) proteins on the atomistic level. 

Topics:

• Photosensory retinylidene and flavoproteins where the light-induced structural changes are resolved.
• Photosynthetic proteins that accomplish electron and proton transfer reactions.
• Electron-driven proteins which are involved in respiration or in photobiological hydrogen production.
• Solid-supported membranes to study voltage-dependent membrane proteins.
• Time-resolved IR spectroscopy with a time-resolution of 5 ns.
• Surface-enhanced IR spectroscopy on proteins specifically tethered to solid surfaces.
• Microscopic vibrational spectroscopy at or beyond the diffraction limit (IR microscopy or SNIM und TERS)