Small redox proteins play the role of electron taxis in the cell, picking electrons up at one location and delivering them at another. While it is known that these reactions are the basis for the... Show moreSmall redox proteins play the role of electron taxis in the cell, picking electrons up at one location and delivering them at another. While it is known that these reactions are the basis for the processes of energy generation by respiration and photosynthesis, the means by which these 'taxis' recognize their partner proteins, or exactly when, where and how they should pick up and drop off the electron, is less well understood. This thesis has taken a Lego-approach to answering these questions, by connecting the redox proteins azurin and flavodoxin in a variety of ways resulting in molecular models or 'maquettes' of pairs of redox proteins. The mode and efficiency of electron transfer in these maquettes are described and compared, where increased accessiblity of the reaction centre does not necessarily increase reaction rate. Close association of the partners was found to be crucial for study of their reactions, however gentle methods for bringing the proteins together were also required to allow them to interact productively. The characteristics of the individual building block proteins were also studied, and provided complementary information on the consequences of structure on their modes of and potential for interaction with other redox proteins. Show less