Integration of bacteriorhodopsin with upconversion nanoparticles for NIR-triggered photoelectrical response

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is a light-activated protein with a well-studied photocycle.
• Current bR applications are limited by the wavelength range of light that can activate it.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of triggering bacteriorhodopsin photocycle transient spikes using near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
• To explore the integration of bacteriorhodopsin with upconversion nanoparticles for novel light-activated applications.

Main Methods:

• Integration of bacteriorhodopsin with upconversion nanoparticles.
• Irradiation of the integrated system with NIR light.
• Monitoring of transient spikes in the bR photocycle.

Main Results:

• Successfully triggered transient spikes in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle using NIR irradiation.
• Demonstrated the first-time integration of bR with upconversion nanoparticles for photocycle modulation.

Conclusions:

• The integration of bR with upconversion nanoparticles enables photocycle modulation via NIR light.
• This approach may significantly expand the application range of bacteriorhodopsin into the infrared spectrum.