To date, our research focuses on a red photosensor proteins, phytochromes, and phototrophic bacteria.
The phytochrome proteins are important sensory proteins in plants, algae, fungi and many bacteria. In our studies, we have detected crystal and solution structures from resting and active states of red light photosensor protein (bacteriophytochromes) in a kinetic manner. For this, time-resolved X-ray solution scattering, together with X-ray crystallography, was utilised.
The photoheterotrophs, i.e. photoactive bacteria, are collected from plants and their role in their natural environment is investigated. In particular, they are tested for bacteriochlorophyll synthesis which reports the capability of microbes to perform anoxygenic photosynthetic processes in aerobic environment.
