Objective
Photosynthesis performed by plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria is the biological process that transforms solar energy into chemical energy with high quantum efficiency. A complete understanding of the factors that modulate the efficiency of this process is a challenge centered at the nexus of fundamental physics and biology, and obtaining that knowledge could pave the way for the design of the next generation of cheap and highly-efficient light-conversion devices. The main aim of this project is to understand how quantum coherence modulates the efficiency of photosynthesis. Quantum coherence is likely to be involved in not only the first ultrafast stages of excitation energy transfer in the photosynthetic light harvesting antenna but also in the charge separation process in the photosynthetic reaction center by coupling to specific vibrational states of this pigment-protein complex (Romero et al, Nature Physics 10, 676-682, 2014) . Here we propose to use time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy and two-dimensional photon echo spectroscopy to demonstrate the specific vibrational modes that sustain quantum coherence at the single molecule level. Time-resolved anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy will provide an insight into the specific vibrations in the molecule that lead to sustained quantum coherence in the charge separation steps of photosynthesis. Results will be confirmed using two-dimensional photon echo spectroscopy and rationalized in a Redfield theory framework. To assess the role of energetic disorder, reaction centers will also be characterized using a combination of single-molecule techniques in order to correlate the quantum coherence arising at the single-molecule level with the efficiency of the whole ensemble. To achieve this, a new technique capable of quantifying quantum coherence at the nanoscale will be developed. This new technique and its applications will deeply impact quantum biology and other fields.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology phycology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy scanning tunneling microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.