Research

Our research is focused on experimental and theoretical investigations of molecular processes of photosynthesis, of spectral properties of photosynthetic chromoproteins, and of stability of integral membrane proteins under high hydrostatic pressure. A long-term goal of these studies is a deeper understanding of the basic physical mechanisms of biomolecular functioning as well as of biocomplexity.

Research directions

Polarons in light harvesting: Lessons from natural nanoworld

Unraveling the hidden nature of photosynthetic antenna excitations

Fine-tuning of the antenna spectra

Selective spectroscopy of biomolecules

Protein mechanics and stability

Barochromic (pressure-dependent) studies of electronic excited states

Single-molecule biophysics

Neutron Scattering in Photosynthesis Research

Methods, instruments and facilities

Various advanced laser spectroscopic techniques (ps-ns-range time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy from near IR to UV, high-resolution hole-burning and fluorescence line-narrowing spectroscopy, high-pressure spectroscopy), neutron scattering and spectroscopy, and computational physical modeling are used to study biophysical systems and processes. Experiments with neutrons are performed on instruments at different European user facilities, which are available based on a peer-reviewed proposal system.

Current projects

1. IUT2-28, Quantum excitations in biosystems over broad temperature and pressure range studied by optical spectroscopy and neutron scattering, 1.01.2013−31.12.2018, Arvi Freiberg

2. MLTFY15158R, The influence of the cell membrane asymmetry and curvature on the functioning of membrane proteins and the transport of therapeutic compounds, 1.01.2016−31.12.2019, Arvi Freiberg

3. SLTKT16432T, Estonian participation in designing, construction and application of the ESS, 1.09.2015−31.08.2022, Enn Lust

4. Bi-lateral Estonia-France Cooperation Program „G.F. PARROT”, Structure-function-dynamics relationships in integral membrane proteins studied by high pressure
   neutron scattering and optical spectroscopy methods, 2017-2018, Arvi Freiberg

5. DP150103137, Australian Research Council, The role of low energy excited states in biological solar energy capture and conversion, 2014-2018, Arvi Freiberg, J. Reimers and E. Krauszc

Cooperation partners

• Grenoble Alpes University, Prof. Judith Peters
• University of Turku, Prof. Esa Tyystjärvi
• Arizona State University, Prof. Neal W. Woodbury, Prof. James Allen, Dr. Su Lin
• CEA-Saclay, Prof. Bruno Robert
• Free University of Amsterdam, Prof. Rienk van Grondelle
• Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Prof. Harald Paulsen
• Lund University, Prof. Villy Sundström, Prof. Tõnu Pullerits, Dr. Ivan Scheblykin
• Max Planck Institute for Bioinorganic Chemistry, Mülheim, Prof. Alfred Holzwarth
• University of Sydney, Prof. Jeffrey R. Reimers
• University of Bayreuth, Prof. Jürgen Köhler
• University College Dublin: Prof. David Coker
• University of Sheffield, Prof. Neil Hunter, Dr. John D. Olsen
• Vilnius Institute of Physics, Dr. Gediminas Trinkunas
• Technical University of Berlin, Prof. Thomas Friedrich, Dr. Franz-Josef Schmitt
• Humboldt University of Berlin: Prof. Athina Zouni
• Technical University of Munich: Prof. Peter Müller-Buschbaum, Dr. Wiebke Lohstroh
• Lomonosov Moscow State University: Dr. Evgeny Maksimov