Giessener Pflanzenphysiologe in Berliner SFB1078 aufgenommen 11.2016

SFB 1078 in Berlin focuses on the role of protons (that is, hydrogen ions) in controlling protein function. We establihed 20 years ago that at least some phytochromes eject and re-absorb protons during their photoconversion from Pr to Pfr, hinting that protonation dynamics play a role in de/activating the photoreceptor. Spectroscopic methods and 3D structural studies based on NMR and X-ray crystalography have since confirmed that idea. Phytochromes are rather useful proteins in fundamental studies of such processes because the trigger is provided by the absorption of a single photon of red light, making it rather easy to study the subsequent events kinetically. Now we have been accepted into the SFB, providing not only financial security for our work but also a framework of co-operations in Berlin that should enhance our work considerably. We thank the DFG for their continued support.