Quantum coherence in single biomolecules measured by multidimensional optical micro-spectroscopy

通过多维光学显微光谱测量单个生物分子的量子相干性

• 批准号: 2579174
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2579174
• 关键词: Quantum; coherence; single; biomolecules; measured; Quantum; coherence; single; biomolecules; measured

Life is based on the intricate interactions between a multitude of biomolecules, including lipids, proteins, and DNA. They are dynamical in nature and maintain the non-equilibrium state of life. To understand the machinery of life, the interactions between the molecules are finely tuned as a result of long-term evolution. While many mechanisms can be described by non-equilibrium thermodynamics making use of local equilibrium with spatial gradients of concentrations, some examples have been highlighted which show the importance of quantum coherence of excitations over molecular complexes [10.1098/rsif.2018.0640]. Specifically in the functions of sensing (smell, vision) and photosynthesis, the interplay between long range coherent coupling, e.g. via dipole-dipole interaction, and coupling to local vibrations, is an intriguing mechanism being investigated [10.1126/science.1235820]. Building on the pioneering work of the supervisor's laboratory in developing advanced laser micro-spectroscopy techniques, this project will investigate the coherent quantum dynamics of single biomolecule functional units.You will translate the two-dimensional coherent micro-spectroscopy technique "Heterodyne Spectral Interferometry", developed and available in our laboratory, from the investigations of semiconductor nanostructures [10.1038/ncomms2764, 0.1038/nphoton.2016.2], towards this ambitious goal. The evolution of the coherence in light-harvesting complexes will be studied from low temperatures (5K), where long lived coherence is expected, up to room temperature, where the thermal excitations reduce the coherence time and the biomolecules are in their operating range. This will allow you to identify the mechanisms of decoherence and verify if nature has tuned the balance optimally at living conditions of the related organisms, such as algae, and sulphur/purple bacteria. Using this insight, we plan to study these coherences in artificial light-harvesting structures [10.1126/science.1249771], which are being developed as a green energy source, in order to understand and optimize their performance.

生命基于多种生物分子（包括脂质，蛋白质和DNA）之间的复杂相互作用。它们本质上是动力学的，并保持了生活的非平衡状态。为了了解生命的机制，由于长期进化，分子之间的相互作用得到了细微的调节。虽然可以通过非平衡热力学来描述许多机制，利用局部平衡具有浓度的空间梯度，但一些示例已被强调，表明激发对分子复合物的量子相干性的重要性[10.1098/rsif.2018.0640]。特别是在传感（气味，视觉）和光合作用的功能上，远程相干耦合之间的相互作用，例如通过偶极 - 偶极相互作用，并与局部振动耦合是一种有趣的机制[10.1126/Science.1235820]。该项目以主管实验室开发高级激光镜检查技术的开拓性工作为基础，该项目将调查单个生物分子功能单位的相干量子动态。 [10.1038/ncomms2764，0.1038/nphoton.2016.2]，朝向这个雄心勃勃的目标。将从低温（5K）中研究轻度收获复合物中相干性的演变，那里预计长期存在的连贯性，直至室温，在室温下，热激发降低了相干时间，生物分子在其工作范围内。这将使您能够识别反应的机制，并验证自然是否在相关生物（例如藻类）和硫/紫色细菌的生活条件下对平衡进行了最佳调节。利用这种见解，我们计划研究这些连贯性在人造光收获结构[10.1126/science.1249771]，这些结构正在作为绿色能源开发，以了解和优化其性能。