Giese group

Electron transfer (ET) through proteins and enzymes is a fundamental reaction for all living organisms. It plays a role in energy conversion processes like photosynthesis and respiration, and also in many metabolic conversions that are catalyzed by enzymes. In our ongoing research we are elucidating the conditions for long distance ET through peptides on a molecular level. Until now, we have discovered that

1. a) electrons hop between certain amino acids (relay amino acids),
2. b) charges strongly influence the ET rates, and
3. c) the secondary structure of the peptide is of key importance.