Electron transfer in biological systems

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In recent years, the captivating world of photoactivated proteins has captured the spotlight, particularly for their role in enabling creatures to perceive Earth's magnetic field through their senses. However, the intricate details of how these proteins work their magic in different organisms continue to be a hot topic in the scientific community.

In our quest for understanding, we turn to theoretical investigations, where we draw upon Marcus-like theories to uncover the hidden mechanisms that govern the transfer of electrons. These electrons play a crucial role in the ever-changing states of photo-activated proteins, like cryptochromes, photolyases, and more. With the help of real-time electron transfer simulations, backed by robust theoretical frameworks and insights from collaborative experiments, we aim to unravel the secrets behind what makes these proteins tick. Our mission is to shed light on the fundamental processes driving the dynamic world of biological electron transfers, providing a deeper insight into their vital roles within the intricate realm of biochemistry.

Recent Publications

Protein and Solvent Reorganization Drives Radical Pair Stability in Avian Cryptochrome 4a, Jiate Luo, Jonathan Hungerland, Ilia A. Solov'yov, Joseph E. Subotnik, Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 147, 43934-43945, (2025)
Electron hopping in cryptochrome: Implications for radical pair magnetoreception and the role of the fourth tryptophan, Saja Isabella Ilott, Cass D. Pearse, Benjamin Tigg, Daniel R. Kattnig, Journal of Chemical Physics, 163, 024110, (2025)
Fast-Track Signaling: A Non-Adiabatic Photoactivation Pathway in Plant Cryptochromes, Jorim M. Kornblueh, Ilia A. Solov'yov, ACS Central Science, 11, 1026-1028, (2025)
Revealing the Impact of g-Tensor Anisotropy on the Charge Recombination in Donor-Acceptor Dyads under High Magnetic Fields, Paul Mentzel, Luca Gerhards, Denise Koppenhöfer, Alexander Schmiedel, Marco Holzapfel, Nikita N. Lukzen, Ilia A. Solov'yov, Ulrich E. Steiner, Christoph Lambert, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 147, 23068-23078, (2025)
Quantum phenomena in biological system, Pedro H. Alvarez, Luca Gerhards, Ilia A. Solov'yov, Marcos C. de Oliveira, Frontiers in Quantum Science and Technology, 3, 1466906-(1-13), (2024)