Speaker
Abstract content <br> (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>
It is not surprising that photosynthesis is a ‘hot topic’ in the field of Biophysics as it is both a beautiful example of where physics can be used to better understand the mechanisms at work in a biological system, and could also provide an alternative energy source for biofuels and photovoltaic electricity. Photo-protection processes, often referred to as Non Photochemical Quenching (NPQ), protect the plant in high light intensity conditions and consist of a range of mechanisms working at different timescales. We look at the very first step of NPQ in plants thought to take place in the main light harvesting pigment-protein complex LHC2. The change of pH and the resulting pH gradient across the membrane in which most of photosynthesis takes place have been proposed to be the trigger for the first step of NPQ. In this presentation an investigation will be shown of the NPQ pH dependency of LHC2 trimers by using single molecule spectroscopy combined with fluorescence lifetime analysis. The pH dependence of fast fluorescence intensity fluctuations will also be shown.
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD)?
MSc
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?
No
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
Yes
Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution
Tjaart Krüger
Tjaart.Kruger@up.ac.za
University of Pretoria
