February 22, 2023
Mapping Energy Transfer Network in Photosynthetic Complexes with Two-Dimensional Electronic-Vibrational Spectroscopy and Simulations
In natural photosynthesis, the first steps involve ultrafast energy transfer and charge separation, which are key to efficient solar energy conversion. However, these processes involve a large number of chlorophylls, causing significant spectral congestion which hinders the extraction of dynamical information from most ultrafast spectroscopy experiments. In the Fleming group, we tackle this issue with two-dimensional electronic-vibrational (2DEV) spectroscopy and theoretical modeling of photosynthetic complexes. 2DEV spectroscopy, probing the correlation between different degrees of freedom, provides an enhanced resolution that allows the understanding of the complex energy transfer network and the functional role of each individual protein within the photosystems. Combining structural information and energy transfer theories, we also construct a kinetic model which provides deeper insight into the photosynthetic complexes and strengthens the understanding of experimental observations. Combining both approaches, we aim to unveil the design principles of natural photosynthetic systems and understand how to make use of solar energy more efficiently.
Shiun-Jr Yang is currently a 4th year Ph.D. student in chemistry in the Fleming group. His research focuses on studying energy transfer dynamics in natural photosynthetic systems. He grew up in Taiwan and received a B.S. and an M.S. in chemistry from National Taiwan University before coming to UC Berkeley.