Researchers at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), led by Dr Elisabet Romero, have demonstrated what could be a significant step towards replicating natural photosynthesis using synthetic, de novo designed proteins. The study, published in ACS Physical Chemistry Au, shows how engineered protein scaffolds can bind chlorophyll‑like molecules to reproduce key light‑harvesting mechanisms, revealing why they may become powerful tools for future bioinspired energy and photonic technologies.
The team’s main finding is that synthetic proteins can be designed to emulate crucial processes found in natural pigment–protein complexes. By studying dimers of a chlorophyll a analogue (Zn‑pheophorbide a) embedded within 4‑α‑helix bundles, the researchers observed that dimerisation increases the charge‑transfer character of the excited state and introduces additional relaxation pathways not present in monomeric systems. These features, including the formation of transient species and enhanced exciton–charge‑transfer mixing, closely mirror the ultrafast charge‑separation mechanisms that make natural photosynthesis remarkably efficient.
This discovery is relevant because photosynthesis in nature achieves near‑unity quantum efficiency in the initial light-harvesting and charge separation steps, thanks to the highly organised structures that finely tune pigment interactions to capture and convert sunlight. Replicating such performance synthetically is a long‑standing challenge with vast implications: from sustainable energy production using photonic or photovoltaic devices to biomedical applications such as photodynamic therapy. De novo designed proteins offer a simplified yet highly tunable platform, providing direct control over structure–function relationships while avoiding the complexity of natural photosystems.
Reflecting on the implications of the study, Dr Luis Duarte, first author of the article, noted that “our findings highlight the tunability of synthetic protein scaffolds to optimise cofactor interactions and control their electronic properties, paving the way for advanced applications in bioinspired energy systems and photonic devices.” As synthetic scaffolds continue to advance, they could support the development of sustainable materials for applications ranging from next‑generation photovoltaic technologies to photodynamic therapies.
Reference Publication
Unraveling Charge-Transfer States and Their Ultrafast Dynamics in Artificial Light-Harvesting Complexes
Duarte, L.G.T.A.; Lamas, I.; Bauerle, D.; Shareef, S.; Cunha, R.D.; Curutchet, C.; Curti, M.; Romero, E.
ACS Phys. Chem. Au 2026
DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.5c00098
La entrada Synthetic proteins mimic key steps of photosynthesis se publicó primero en ICIQ.