Engineering Chimeric Light Harvesting Proteins to Determine the Physical Basis for the Emergence of Quantum Coherence
Abstract
The strange phenomena of quantum mechanics were not expected to play a direct role in life, however, it appears that quantum effects may be important in the efficient capture of sunlight for photosynthesis. The conditions for the emergence of quantum phenomena appear to be set by the structures of proteins. The aim of the project is to relate protein structure to the emergence of quantum effects in the light harvesting proteins of marine algae. We have discovered two different structural forms of the same type of light harvesting protein where one supports quantum phenomena while the other does not appear to do so. Our aim is to determine the structural features of these proteins that result in the emergence of quantum coherence. To do this, we will engineer chimeric proteins that have been built by separating the two components of natural light harvesting proteins and then recombining them to produce novel pair of matched chimeric proteins. We will use x-ray methods to determine the three dimensional structures of these chimeric proteins so as to confirm our bioengineering. We will then characterize the chimeric protein pairs using ultrafast laser spectroscopy so as to detect quantum coherence. In this manner we aim to determine the precise nature of the link between protein structure and the presence or absence of quantum phenomena. Understanding the link between structure and quantum effects will improve our knowledge of how nature achieves its remarkable efficiency in utilizing the energy from the sun. This is likely to foster new technologies that improve the efficiency of solar energy systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 04, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1217719
Entities
People
- Paul Curmi
Organizations
- University of New South Wales