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Nelson N. Coupling and Slips in Photosynthetic Reactions-From Femtoseconds to Eons. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3878. [PMID: 38005774 PMCID: PMC10674687 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthesis stands as a unique biological phenomenon that can be comprehensively explored across a wide spectrum, from femtoseconds to eons. Across each timespan, a delicate interplay exists between coupling and inherent deviations that are essential for sustaining the overall efficiency of the system. Both quantum mechanics and thermodynamics act as guiding principles for the diverse processes occurring from femtoseconds to eons. Processes such as excitation energy transfer and the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, along with the proliferation of organic matter on the Earth's surface, are all governed by the coupling-slip principle. This article will delve into select time points along this expansive scale. It will highlight the interconnections between photosynthesis, the global population, disorder, and the issue of global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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2
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Sebastian E, Hariharan M. A Symmetry-Broken Charge-Separated State in the Marcus Inverted Region. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216482. [PMID: 36697363 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We report a long-lived charge-separated state in a chromophoric pair (DC-PDI2 ) that uniquely integrates the advantages of fundamental processes of photosynthetic reaction centers: i) Symmetry-breaking charge-separation (SB-CS) and ii) Marcus-inverted-region dependence. The near-orthogonal bichromophoric DC-PDI2 manifests an ultrafast evolution of the SB-CS state with a time constant of τ S B - C S ${{\tau }_{{\rm S}{\rm B}-{\rm C}{\rm S}}}$ =0.35±0.02 ps and a slow charge recombination (CR) kinetics with τ C R ${{\tau }_{{\rm C}{\rm R}}}$ =4.09±0.01 ns in ACN. The rate constant of CR of DC-PDI2 is 11 686 times slower than SB-CS in ACN, as the CR of the PDI radical ion-pair occurs in the deep inverted region of the Marcus parabola ( - Δ G C R ${{-{\rm \Delta }G}_{{\rm C}{\rm R}}}$ >λ). In contrast, an analogous benzyloxy (BnO)-substituted DC-BPDI2 showcases a ≈10-fold accelerated CR kinetics with τ C R / τ S B - C S ${{\tau }_{{\rm C}{\rm R}}/{\tau }_{{\rm S}{\rm B}-{\rm C}{\rm S}}}$ lowering to ≈1536 in ACN, by virtue of a decreased CR driving force. The present investigation demonstrates a control of molecular engineering to tune the energetics and kinetics of the SB-CS material, which is essential for next-generation optoelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebin Sebastian
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM), Maruthamala P.O., Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695551, Kerala, India
| | - Mahesh Hariharan
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM), Maruthamala P.O., Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695551, Kerala, India
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3
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Maroudas‐Sklare N, Kolodny Y, Yochelis S, Keren N, Paltiel Y. Controlling photosynthetic energy conversion by small conformational changes. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13802. [PMID: 36259916 PMCID: PMC9828261 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Control phenomena in biology usually refer to changes in gene expression and protein translation and modification. In this paper, another mode of regulation is highlighted; we propose that photosynthetic organisms can harness the interplay between localization and delocalization of energy transfer by utilizing small conformational changes in the structure of light-harvesting complexes. We examine the mechanism of energy transfer in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes, first through the scope of theoretical work and then by in vitro studies of these complexes. Next, the biological relevance to evolutionary fitness of this localization-delocalization switch is explored by in vivo experiments on desert crust and marine cyanobacteria, which are both exposed to rapidly changing environmental conditions. These examples demonstrate the flexibility and low energy cost of this mechanism, making it a competitive survival strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naama Maroudas‐Sklare
- Department of Applied PhysicsHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Yuval Kolodny
- Department of Applied PhysicsHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Shira Yochelis
- Department of Applied PhysicsHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Nir Keren
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Yossi Paltiel
- Department of Applied PhysicsHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
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4
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Ma F, Romero E, Jones MR, Novoderezhkin VI, Yu LJ, van Grondelle R. Dynamics of diverse coherences in primary charge separation of bacterial reaction center at 77 K revealed by wavelet analysis. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2022; 151:225-234. [PMID: 34709567 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-021-00881-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To uncover the mechanism behind the high photo-electronic conversion efficiency in natural photosynthetic complexes it is essential to trace the dynamics of electronic and vibrational quantum coherences. Here we apply wavelet analysis to two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy data for three purple bacterial reaction centers with mutations that produce drastically different rates of primary charge separation. From the frequency distribution and dynamic evolution features of the quantum beating, electronic coherence with a dephasing lifetime of ~50 fs, vibronic coherence with a lifetime of ~150 fs and vibrational/vibronic coherences with a lifetime of 450 fs are distinguished. We find that they are responsible for, or couple to, different specific steps during the primary charge separation process, i.e., intradimer charge transfer inside the special bacteriochlorophyll pair followed by its relaxation and stabilization of the charge-transfer state. The results enlighten our understanding of how quantum coherences participate in, and contribute to, a biological electron transfer reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Xiangshan, Beijing, 100093, China.
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Elisabet Romero
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Michael R Jones
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Vladimir I Novoderezhkin
- A. N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, Russia, 119992
| | - Long-Jiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Xiangshan, Beijing, 100093, China.
| | - Rienk van Grondelle
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Kim J, Nguyen-Phan TC, Gardiner AT, Cogdell RJ, Scholes GD, Cho M. Low-Frequency Vibronic Mixing Modulates the Excitation Energy Flow in Bacterial Light-Harvesting Complex II. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:6292-6298. [PMID: 34213343 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Oscillatory features observed in two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) manifest coherent vibrational and electronic dynamics and even the interplay of them. Recently, we developed a 2DES technique utilizing a pair of synchronized repetition-frequency-stabilized lasers, which enables the wide dynamic range measurements of 2DES signals rapidly. Here, we apply this dual-laser 2DES technique to investigate the electronic energy transfer (EET) process in bacterial light-harvesting complex II consisting of B800 and B850 circular aggregates at ambient temperature, and the coherent vibrational wavepakcet associated with the EET between the two aggregates are measured. Examining the principal component analysis of the time-resolved 2DES signal, we found that the EET from B800 to low-lying B850 states is modulated by a low-frequency (156 cm-1) vibrational mode of the exciton donor (B800). This observation suggests that the donor transition density is modulated by this vibration, which, in turn, modulates the energy transfer dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- JunWoo Kim
- Center for Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton 08544, New Jersey, United States
| | - Tu C Nguyen-Phan
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair T Gardiner
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Cogdell
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory D Scholes
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton 08544, New Jersey, United States
| | - Minhaeng Cho
- Center for Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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6
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Collini E, Gattuso H, Levine RD, Remacle F. Ultrafast fs coherent excitonic dynamics in CdSe quantum dots assemblies addressed and probed by 2D electronic spectroscopy. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:014301. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0031420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Collini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, I-35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Hugo Gattuso
- Theoretical Physical Chemistry, RU MOLSYS, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août 11, B4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - R. D. Levine
- The Fritz Haber Research Center for Molecular Dynamics and Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - F. Remacle
- Theoretical Physical Chemistry, RU MOLSYS, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août 11, B4000 Liège, Belgium
- The Fritz Haber Research Center for Molecular Dynamics and Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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7
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Zhu R, Zou J, Wang Z, Chen H, Weng Y. Electronic State-Resolved Multimode-Coupled Vibrational Wavepackets in Oxazine 720 by Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem A 2020; 124:9333-9342. [PMID: 33136407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.0c06559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The difference between the excited- and ground-state vibrational wavepackets remains to be fully explored when multiple vibrational modes are coherently excited simultaneously by femtosecond pulses. In this work, we present a series of one- and two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy for studying multimode wavepackets of oxazine 720 in solution. Fourier transform (FT) maps combined with time-frequency transform (TFT) are employed to unambiguously distinguish the origin of low-frequency vibrational wavepackets, that is, an excited-state vibrational wavepacket of 586 cm-1 with a dephasing time of 0.7 ps and a ground-state vibrational wavepacket of 595 cm-1 with a dephasing time of 1.3-1.7 ps. We also found the additional low-frequency vibrational wavepackets resulting from the coupling of the 595 cm-1 mode to a series of high-frequency modes centered at 1150 cm-1 via electronic transitions. The combined use of FT maps and TFT analysis allows us to reveal the potential vibrational coupling of wavepackets and offers the possibility of disentangling the coupling between the electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom in condensed-phase systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruidan Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiading Zou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhuan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Hailong Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Yuxiang Weng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
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8
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Kavanagh MA, Karlsson JKG, Colburn JD, Barter LMC, Gould IR. A TDDFT investigation of the Photosystem II reaction center: Insights into the precursors to charge separation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:19705-19712. [PMID: 32747579 PMCID: PMC7443915 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922158117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Photosystem II (PS II) captures solar energy and directs charge separation (CS) across the thylakoid membrane during photosynthesis. The highly oxidizing, charge-separated state generated within its reaction center (RC) drives water oxidation. Spectroscopic studies on PS II RCs are difficult to interpret due to large spectral congestion, necessitating modeling to elucidate key spectral features. Herein, we present results from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations on the largest PS II RC model reported to date. This model explicitly includes six RC chromophores and both the chlorin phytol chains and the amino acid residues <6 Å from the pigments' porphyrin ring centers. Comparing our wild-type model results with calculations on mutant D1-His-198-Ala and D2-His-197-Ala RCs, our simulated absorption-difference spectra reproduce experimentally observed shifts in known chlorophyll absorption bands, demonstrating the predictive capabilities of this model. We find that inclusion of both nearby residues and phytol chains is necessary to reproduce this behavior. Our calculations provide a unique opportunity to observe the molecular orbitals that contribute to the excited states that are precursors to CS. Strikingly, we observe two high oscillator strength, low-lying states, in which molecular orbitals are delocalized over ChlD1 and PheD1 as well as one weaker oscillator strength state with molecular orbitals delocalized over the P chlorophylls. Both these configurations are a match for previously identified exciton-charge transfer states (ChlD1+PheD1-)* and (PD2+PD1-)*. Our results demonstrate the power of TDDFT as a tool, for studies of natural photosynthesis, or indeed future studies of artificial photosynthetic complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve A Kavanagh
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua K G Karlsson
- Molecular Photonics Laboratory, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D Colburn
- School of Chemistry, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland
| | - Laura M C Barter
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom;
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Gould
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom;
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
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9
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Sipka G, Müller P, Brettel K, Magyar M, Kovács L, Zhu Q, Xiao Y, Han G, Lambrev PH, Shen JR, Garab G. Redox transients of P680 associated with the incremental chlorophyll-a fluorescence yield rises elicited by a series of saturating flashes in diuron-treated photosystem II core complex of Thermosynechococcus vulcanus. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2019; 166:22-32. [PMID: 30790299 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent chlorophyll-a fluorescence yield measurements, using single-turnover saturating flashes (STSFs), have revealed the involvement of a rate-limiting step in the reactions following the charge separation induced by the first flash. As also shown here, in diuron-inhibited PSII core complexes isolated from Thermosynechococcus vulcanus the fluorescence maximum could only be reached by a train of STSFs. In order to elucidate the origin of the fluorescence yield increments in STSF series, we performed transient absorption measurements at 819 nm, reflecting the photooxidation and re-reduction kinetics of the primary electron donor P680. Upon single flash excitation of the dark-adapted sample, the decay kinetics could be described with lifetimes of 17 ns (∼50%) and 167 ns (∼30%), and a longer-lived component (∼20%). This kinetics are attributed to re-reduction of P680•+ by the donor side of PSII. In contrast, upon second-flash (with Δt between 5 μs and 100 ms) or repetitive excitation, the 819 nm absorption changes decayed with lifetimes of about 2 ns (∼60%) and 10 ns (∼30%), attributed to recombination of the primary radical pair P680•+ Pheo•- , and a small longer-lived component (∼10%). These data confirm that only the first STSF is capable of generating stable charge separation - leading to the reduction of QA ; and thus, the fluorescence yield increments elicited by the consecutive flashes must have a different physical origin. Our double-flash experiments indicate that the rate-limiting steps, detected by chlorophyll-a fluorescence, are not correlated with the turnover of P680.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Sipka
- Institute of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Photosynthetic Membranes, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Pavel Müller
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Klaus Brettel
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Melinda Magyar
- Institute of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Photosynthetic Membranes, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Kovács
- Institute of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Photosynthetic Membranes, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Qingjun Zhu
- Photosynthesis Research Center, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Xiao
- Photosynthesis Research Center, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangye Han
- Photosynthesis Research Center, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Petar H Lambrev
- Institute of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Photosynthetic Membranes, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jian-Ren Shen
- Photosynthesis Research Center, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Photosynthesis Research Center, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Győző Garab
- Institute of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Photosynthetic Membranes, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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10
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Volpato A, Collini E. Optimization and selection of time-frequency transforms for wave-packet analysis in ultrafast spectroscopy. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:2975-2987. [PMID: 30732326 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.002975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of quantum beats in time-resolved spectroscopic signals is becoming a task of primary importance because it is now clear that they bring crucial information about chemical reactivity, transport, and relaxation processes. Here we describe how to exploit the wide family of time-frequency transform methodologies to obtain information not only about the frequency but also about the dynamics of the oscillating components contributing to the overall beating signal. Several linear and bilinear transforms have been considered, and a general and easy procedure to judge in a non-arbitrary way the performances of different transforms has been outlined.
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11
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Richter M, Fingerhut BP. Coupled excitation energy and charge transfer dynamics in reaction centre inspired model systems. Faraday Discuss 2019; 216:72-93. [PMID: 31012450 DOI: 10.1039/c8fd00189h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Functional operation conditions of reaction centre core complexes require the tight coupling of exciton states to concomitant charge separation. Rigorous theoretical treatment of such integrated excitation energy transfer (EET) and charge transfer (CT) dynamics is particularly challenging due to (i) appreciable system sizes, (ii) inter-site and system-bath couplings of similar magnitude that render the Born-Markov approximation invalid, (iii) substantial reorganization energies of CT states, and (iv) the presence of complex structured spectral densities due to vibrational modes of the surroundings. We present numerical simulations on bacterial reaction centre (bRC) inspired model systems that utilize the recently developed MACGIC-iQUAPI method [Richter et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2017, 146, 214101]. The simulations demonstrate that the method provides a rigorous framework for the investigation of such integrated EET-CT dynamics. First, the applicability of the MACGIC-iQUAPI method is explored for a transition from monotonically decaying to oscillatory system-bath influence coefficients, a behavior inherently imposed by structured bath spectral densities. Tightly coupled EET and CT dynamics is further addressed for an excitonic subsystem that resembles strong coupling of special pair states and serves as donor towards a generic bridge-acceptor system. By solving the dissipative quantum dynamics of such bRC inspired model systems, the quenching of excitonic coherence on the hundreds of femtoseconds timescale is explored via a variation of the bridge state energetics, resembling a continuous transition from sequential to superexchange mediated CT regimes. Further, the simulations explore the influence of resonant vibrational modes on the quenching of excitonic coherence via CT. The results reveal a moderate influence of vibrational mode on charge separation dynamics in regimes of biologically relevant EET and CT dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Richter
- Max-Born-Institut für Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Benjamin P Fingerhut
- Max-Born-Institut für Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
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12
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Marais A, Adams B, Ringsmuth AK, Ferretti M, Gruber JM, Hendrikx R, Schuld M, Smith SL, Sinayskiy I, Krüger TPJ, Petruccione F, van Grondelle R. The future of quantum biology. J R Soc Interface 2018; 15:20180640. [PMID: 30429265 PMCID: PMC6283985 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological systems are dynamical, constantly exchanging energy and matter with the environment in order to maintain the non-equilibrium state synonymous with living. Developments in observational techniques have allowed us to study biological dynamics on increasingly small scales. Such studies have revealed evidence of quantum mechanical effects, which cannot be accounted for by classical physics, in a range of biological processes. Quantum biology is the study of such processes, and here we provide an outline of the current state of the field, as well as insights into future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Marais
- Quantum Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Betony Adams
- Quantum Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Andrew K Ringsmuth
- Institute for Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Marco Ferretti
- Institute for Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Michael Gruber
- Institute for Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud Hendrikx
- Institute for Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Schuld
- Quantum Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Samuel L Smith
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ilya Sinayskiy
- Quantum Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
- National Institute for Theoretical Physics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Tjaart P J Krüger
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Francesco Petruccione
- Quantum Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
- National Institute for Theoretical Physics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rienk van Grondelle
- Institute for Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Rathbone HW, Davis JA, Michie KA, Goodchild SC, Robertson NO, Curmi PMG. Coherent phenomena in photosynthetic light harvesting: part two-observations in biological systems. Biophys Rev 2018; 10:1443-1463. [PMID: 30242555 PMCID: PMC6233342 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-018-0456-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable debate surrounds the question of whether or not quantum mechanics plays a significant, non-trivial role in photosynthetic light harvesting. Many have proposed that quantum superpositions and/or quantum transport phenomena may be responsible for the efficiency and robustness of energy transport present in biological systems. The critical experimental observations comprise the observation of coherent oscillations or "quantum beats" via femtosecond laser spectroscopy, which have been observed in many different light harvesting systems. Part Two of this review aims to provide an overview of experimental observations of energy transfer in the most studied light harvesting systems. Length scales, derived from crystallographic studies, are combined with energy and time scales of the beats observed via spectroscopy. A consensus is emerging that most long-lived (hundreds of femtoseconds) coherent phenomena are of vibrational or vibronic origin, where the latter may result in coherent excitation transport within a protein complex. In contrast, energy transport between proteins is likely to be incoherent in nature. The question of whether evolution has selected for these non-trivial quantum phenomena may be an unanswerable question, as dense packings of chromophores will lead to strong coupling and hence non-trivial quantum phenomena. As such, one cannot discern whether evolution has optimised light harvesting systems for high chromophore density or for the ensuing quantum effects as these are inextricably linked and cannot be switched off.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry W Rathbone
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Jeffery A Davis
- Centre for Quantum and Optical Science, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
| | - Katharine A Michie
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Sophia C Goodchild
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Neil O Robertson
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Paul M G Curmi
- School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia.
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Keren N, Paltiel Y. Photosynthetic Energy Transfer at the Quantum/Classical Border. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 23:497-506. [PMID: 29625851 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Quantum mechanics diverges from the classical description of our world when very small scales or very fast processes are involved. Unlike classical mechanics, quantum effects cannot be easily related to our everyday experience and are often counterintuitive to us. Nevertheless, the dimensions and time scales of the photosynthetic energy transfer processes puts them close to the quantum/classical border, bringing them into the range of measurable quantum effects. Here we review recent advances in the field and suggest that photosynthetic processes can take advantage of the sensitivity of quantum effects to the environmental 'noise' as means of tuning exciton energy transfer efficiency. If true, this design principle could be a base for 'nontrivial' coherent wave property nano-devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Keren
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
| | - Yossi Paltiel
- Applied Physics Department, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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15
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van Grondelle R. Photoinduced processes in nucleic acids and proteins: concluding remarks. Faraday Discuss 2018; 207:513-521. [PMID: 29564457 DOI: 10.1039/c8fd00049b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Light induced charge and energy transport in nucleic acids and proteins is the basis of fundamental biological processes such as photosynthesis, vision, DNA-photostability, DNA-photodamage and photosensing. This article summarises the concluding remarks given at the Faraday Discussions meeting on this topic. The specific themes arising from the meeting that are discussed herein include charge transfer in nucleic acids and proteins, excited state dynamics and topology, vibrations and dynamic disorder, proteins and charge transfer states, nanobiophotonics coupled to biomedical applications and photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rienk van Grondelle
- Faculty of Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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