Photosynthetic and photoactive proteins are essential to all life on Earth, playing pivotal roles in the primary steps of light harvesting of plants, to the first event in vision. Our interests include the study of natural photoactive proteins, bio-nanohybrid systems combining photosynthetic proteins with nanomaterials, and specially designed (de novo) proteins. Using an array of time-resolved experiments, we are able to determine the photobiological dynamics including timescales for electron and electronic energy transfer, and the role of the protein in mediating these events.

With the short pulses available in our laboratories (<10 fs), we are able to drive and monitor a range of different coherent dynamics within molecules, polymers and proteins. These include vibrational wavepacket dynamics, that allow us to gain insight into how the electronic structure on the excited state evolves, and the nuclear motions that drive coupling of different electronic states at conical intersections.

Molecules in solution rotate, collide and inter-change energy with their surroundings on picosecond or shorter timescales. The magnitude and timescale of these interactions that alter and determine the excited state photochemical/physical dynamics.

Carbon nanodots (CDs) are non-toxic nanomaterials with appreciable fluorescent quantum yields making them ideal for biosensing. Further, they can be synthesised using a 3 minute microwave assisted synthesis from cheap starting materials. Uptake of specially functionalised CDs by plants and algae can lead to increased photosynthetic quantum yields and enhanced biomass yields.