Plant sciences articles within Nature Chemistry

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• Article | 06 January 2022

  Observation of robust energy transfer in the photosynthetic protein allophycocyanin using single-molecule pump–probe spectroscopy

  In photosynthesis, photoenergy transfers through chromophore-containing proteins, which exhibit thermal fluctuations that change the positions of the chromophores. Now the ultrafast dynamics in allophycocyanin—a cyanobacterial light-harvesting protein—have been measured using single-molecule pump–probe spectroscopy. The data show that energy transfer precedes protein-induced photophysical heterogeneity, ensuring that light harvesting is robust to the heterogeneity.

  • Raymundo Moya
  • , Audrey C. Norris
  •  & Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen

• News & Views | 01 September 2010

  Redox control of oxoiron(IV)

  The oxygen-evolving centre in the protein complex photosystem II involves Ca²⁺ within a high-valent oxomanganese cluster, but the role of Ca²⁺ has yet to be clarified. Interestingly, the electron-transfer behaviour of a non-haem oxoiron(IV) complex has now been found to be significantly altered by Lewis acid metal-ion binding to the oxo atom.

  • Kenneth D. Karlin

• Research Highlights | 23 April 2010

  All together now

  A promising material for splitting water relies on the favourable arrangement of photosensitive and catalytic components.

  • Gavin Armstrong