Phytochrome

In collaboration with T. Lamparter (TU Karslruhe) we study the Z-E isomerization dynamics of bilin chromophors in various phytochrome systems. Phytochromes act as photoreceptors in plants, but are found as well in numerous bacteria. We investigate the ultrafast dynamics of phytochrome Cph1 from cyanobacterium synechocystis, reconstituted with phycocyanobilin and phycoerythrobilin. Further studies concerne the primary photochemistry of phytochrome Agp1 from agrobacterium tumefaciens with focus on chromophors that are not covalently bound to the apoprotein.