Description

This project addresses fundamental questions related to electron and proton transfer mechanisms in bacterial respiratory membrane proteins, with a particular focus on oxygen reduction. The successful candidate will combine bioelectrochemistry and advanced spectroscopy to investigate catalytic processes at the molecular level. State-of-the-art approaches will be employed, including protein film voltammetry (PFV) on enzymes reconstituted in nanodiscs, enabling controlled studies in a native-like membrane environment. The project includes the development of new electrochemical assays, the study of lipid–protein interactions, and the analysis of quinone binding sites. Complementary FTIR and Raman spectroscopy will provide detailed insights into protonation states and structural dynamics.