Title: Theoretical aspects of ultrafast excited state dynamics in biological chromophores Speaker: Anastasia Bochenkova, IFA Time: Thursday, April 28, 15.15 to 16.00 Place: Fysisk Auditorium Abstract: Photoactive proteins serve important purposes many places in nature. Opsin proteins containing a Protonated Schiff-base retinal chromophore are perhaps the best known as they provide vision in vertebrates. Others, like the green fluorescent proteins, are extensively used as biomarkers in living cells. The early time excited state dynamics revealed in photoabsorption spectra of biochromophores in the gas phase, as well as their fast and efficient de-excitation pathways through conical intersections will be discussed. A general theoretical approach for modeling absorption band shapes of biological chromophores will be introduced. The role of resonance states in electron detachment channel for anions and the impact of low-lying dark states on their excited-state life-times and dynamics will be also addressed. Joint theoretical and experimental studies help to shed light on the fundamental role played by proteins in the ultrafast reaction dynamics of biological photoreceptors and photophysical properties of the fluorescent biomarkers. Jacob Sherson and Aurélien Dantan Coffee, tea and cake will be served at 15.05 ----------------------------------- Aurelien Dantan Ion Trap Group Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Aarhus Ny Munkegade, bygn. 1520 8000 Aarhus Denmark +4589423602