Hybrid System Based on Quantum Dots and Photosystem 2 Core Complex

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E. G. Maksimov^1*, V. N. Kurashov², M. D. Mamedov², and V. Z. Paschenko¹

¹Department of Biophysics, Biology Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; fax: (495) 939-1115; E-mail: emaksimoff@yandex.ru

²Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; fax: (495) 939-3181

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received February 28, 2012; Revision received March 16, 2012

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We show that semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QD) can be used to increase the absorption capacity of pigment–protein complexes. In a mixture of photosystem 2 core complex (PS2) and QD, the fluorescence of the latter decreases several-fold due to the transfer of the absorbed energy to the PS2 core complex. We discuss Förster’s inductive-resonance mechanism as a possible way of energy transfer in donor–acceptor pairs QD–PS2 core complex. Calculations based on the experimental data show that the enhancement of PS2 fluorescence and the rate of Q_A reduction increase up to 60% due to efficient energy migration from QD to PS2.

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KEY WORDS: quantum dots, photosystem 2, hybrid systems, energy transfer

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297912060090

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