SEMINARIO: Prof. John Kennis

How life sees light: activation mechanisms of photosensory receptor proteins
Prof. John Kennis - Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
Mercoledì 12 novembre 2025 - Ore 14:30 - Aula 20

Nature has evolved a wide array of photosensory systems to enable organisms to sense and respond to their light environment. Photosensory receptor proteins provide unique opportunities to understand the essential principles of signal transduction and protein function because they can be activated by light, rendering them amenable to advanced biophysical experimental methods. Here I will show how time-resolved spectroscopy from the femtosecond to millisecond timescale, in particular UV-visible, femtosecond stimulated Raman and mid-infrared spectroscopy may be employed to gain considerable insights into their photoactivation mechanisms.

Prof. Dr. John Kennis studies the physical-chemical mechanisms of reception, storage and processing of photic information and energy in photosensory signal transduction and photosynthesis.