The photo-initiated dynamics of rhodopsins will be investigated with spectroscopic techniques covering a wide temporal and spectral bandwidth. The results will be correlated with ion transport. We like to understand the coupling of the retinal with the channels gates in ChR2; we look into the specific properties of KR2 that turns this molecule into a light-driven sodium pump; and we investigate multi-photon processes in rhodopsins that can be exploited to control transport activity or to increase fluorescence intensities. To this end, we will develop rational strategies to gain a deeper understanding of light-induced transport in this class of proteins.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
