Abstract
Bio-hybrid nanomaterials have great potential for combining the most desirable aspects of biomolecules and the contemporary concepts of nanotechnology to create highly efficient light-harvesting materials. Light-harvesting proteins are optimized to absorb and transfer solar energy with remarkable efficiency but have a spectral range that is limited by their natural pigment complement. Herein, we present the development of model membranes ("proteoliposomes") in which the absorption range of the membrane protein Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) is effectively enhanced by the addition of lipid-tethered Texas Red (TR) chromophores. Energy transfer from TR to LHCII is observed with up to 94% efficiency and increased LHCII fluorescence of up to three-fold when excited in the region of lowest natural absorption. The new self-assembly procedure offers the modularity to control the concentrations incorporated of TR and LHCII, allowing energy transfer and fluorescence to be tuned. Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy provides single-proteoliposome-level quantification of energy transfer efficiency and confirms that functionality is retained on surfaces. Designer proteoliposomes could act as a controllable light-harvesting nanomaterial and are a promising step in the development of bio-hybrid light-harvesting systems.
Highlights
Biological systems are a source of inspiration in solar energy and nanotechnology research,[1,2,3,4,5,6] because the early stages of energy absorption and transfer in photosynthesis have an 16284 | Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 16284–16292Communication tration, (iv) membranes allow the potential to coassemble other components to make for a modular system.Solution-based fluorescence spectroscopy is typically used to assess Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) in ensemble measurements
Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) protein was extracted from spinach leaves and biochemically purified using the detergent α-DDM, as previously described.[30]
We chose the small organic chromophore Texas Red (TR)[32] as an ideal candidate for an energy donor to LHCII in membranes because of its complementary spectral properties and its amenability to assembly into lipid bilayers by tethering it to a lipid headgroup (TR-DHPE, as purchased).[33]
Summary
Biological systems are a source of inspiration in solar energy and nanotechnology research,[1,2,3,4,5,6] because the early stages of energy absorption and transfer in photosynthesis have an 16284 | Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 16284–16292Communication tration (or type), (iv) membranes allow the potential to coassemble other components to make for a modular system (e.g. other photosynthetic proteins or any small amphiphiles).Solution-based fluorescence spectroscopy is typically used to assess FRET in ensemble measurements.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
