Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Dual-Color Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy to Study Protein-Protein Interaction and Protein Dynamics in Live Cells
14:12

Dual-Color Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy to Study Protein-Protein Interaction and Protein Dynamics in Live Cells

Published on: December 11, 2021

Correlated intermolecular coupling fluctuations in photosynthetic complexes

Sebastiaan M Vlaming1, Robert J Silbey

  • 1Center for Excitonics and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. vlaming@mit.edu

The Journal of Chemical Physics
|February 11, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Protein environments create fluctuations in photosynthetic complexes, impacting energy transport. This study reveals that correlations between these fluctuations, especially in couplings, significantly affect efficiency and light harvesting.

More Related Videos

Separation of Spinach Thylakoid Protein Complexes by Native Green Gel Electrophoresis and Band Characterization using Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting08:40

Separation of Spinach Thylakoid Protein Complexes by Native Green Gel Electrophoresis and Band Characterization using Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting

Published on: February 14, 2019

A Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy Assay of Protein-Protein Interactions at Cell-Cell Contacts08:43

A Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy Assay of Protein-Protein Interactions at Cell-Cell Contacts

Published on: December 1, 2018

Related Concept Videos

¹H NMR: Long-Range Coupling01:27

¹H NMR: Long-Range Coupling

The coupling interactions of nuclei across four or more bonds are usually weak, with J values less than 1 Hz. While these are usually not observed in spectra, the presence of multiple bonds along the coupling pathway can result in observable long-range coupling.
In alkenes, spin information is communicated via σ–π overlap, as seen in allylic (four-bond) and homoallylic (five-bond) couplings. These coupling interactions are stronger when the σ bond is parallel to the alkene π orbitals.
¹H NMR: Interpreting Distorted and Overlapping Signals01:02

¹H NMR: Interpreting Distorted and Overlapping Signals

Spin systems where the difference in chemical shifts of the coupled nuclei is greater than ten times J are called first-order spin systems. These nuclei are weakly coupled, and their chemical shifts and coupling constant can generally be estimated from the well-separated signals in the spectrum.
As Δν decreases and the signals move closer, the doublets appear increasingly distorted. The intensities of the inner lines increase at the cost of those of the outer lines as the signals are slanted or...
Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)01:22

Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)

Vicinal or three-bond coupling is commonly observed between protons attached to adjacent carbons. Here, nuclear spin information is primarily transferred via electron spin interactions between adjacent C‑H bond orbitals. This generally favors the antiparallel arrangement of spins, so 3J values are usually positive.
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence01:26

Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence

Fluorescence and phosphorescence are essential phenomena in fields like analytical chemistry, biological imaging, and materials science, where they detect molecular properties and visualize cellular structures. Understanding the variables that influence these luminescent behaviors is crucial for maximizing accuracy and efficiency in their applications. These variables can broadly be grouped into chemical structure, solvent properties, and external conditions, each playing a distinct role in...
Coupled Reactions01:17

Coupled Reactions

Cellular processes such as building and breaking down complex molecules occur through stepwise chemical reactions. Some of these chemical reactions are spontaneous and release energy, whereas others require energy to proceed. Cells often couple the energy-releasing reaction with the energy-requiring one to carry out important cell functions. 
Energy in adenosine triphosphate or ATP molecules is easily accessible to do work. ATP powers the majority of energy-requiring cellular reactions. Cells...
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview01:08

Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview

In bromoethane, the three methyl protons are coupled to the two methylene protons that are three bonds away. In accordance with the n+1 rule, the signal from the methyl protons is split into three peaks with 1:2:1 relative intensities. The methylene protons appear as a quartet, with the relative intensities of 1:3:3:1.
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must have a...