Fluorescence of single copper proteins : dynamic disorder and enhancement by a gold nanorod

Pradhan, B. (2018)

Doctoral Thesis

Single-molecule fluorescence was invented in the 1990s and has quickly developed into an
indispensable technique in the biomedical sciences and condensed-matter research. It has
revolutionized the fields of molecular biology, imaging (super-resolution), and catalysis, to
name a few. In this thesis, we will apply fluorescence enhancement by single gold nanorods
to extend single-molecule studies to chromophores with low fluorescence quantum yields
and to high concentrations of probe molecules. Following single-molecule trajectories,
we will explore variations in the electron-transfer rates of the metalloprotein azurin both
from molecule to molecule and for the same molecule as a function of time. Evidence for
conformational substates will be discussed based on dynamic heterogeneity.

• Single-molecule spectroscopy
• Fluorescence
• Plasmonics
• Gold nanorod
• Electron-transfer proteins
• Dynamical heterogeneity

• All authors: Pradhan, B.
• Supervisor: Orrit, M.A.G.J.; Canters, G.W.
• Committee: Blank, K.; Zijlstra, P.; Eliel, E.; Groenen, E.J.J.; Kros, A.; Noort, S.J.T. van
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2018-04-03
• Title of host publication: Casimir PhD Series
• ISBN (print): 9789085933403
• Name: 2018-08
• Sponsorship: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)