New insights into catalysis with film electrochemical EPR - from small molecules to complex proteins

Radical intermediates often play an important role in the catalytic reactions of redox-active proteins. Yet, catching these intermediates and analyzing them in detail to gain insight into the mechanism of catalysis can pose a significant challenge. In this project, we extend a novel technique, film electrochemical electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (FE-EPR), to enable the investigation of small molecules and proteins undergoing catalysis. In particular, respiratory complex I will be studied under catalysis with FE-EPR, to provide experimental insight into the elusive redox-proton pump coupling in this giant enzyme essential for ATP synthesis.