Ruchira Chatterjee
Organization
MBIB, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Keywords
Photosynthesis, X ray crystallography, X ray spectroscopy, catalysis, protein biochemistry
Project Description
In our lab, we measure X-ray diffraction and X-ray spectroscopic data on Photosystem II samples that are relevant for solar driven energy conversion using the unique capabilities in terms of femtosecond X-ray pulses and specialized diffraction detectors. The candidate is going to participate in an experiment at Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) to study serial Femtosecond Crystallography of Photosystem II. He/she will help in collecting XRD (X-ray crystallography) results from Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) and how these results help us understand the catalytic reaction mechanism of the water splitting reaction in Photosystem II (PSII) in nature. Understanding the mechanism of Photosynthesis, and how it may translate to clean energy technologies, is one of the important questions in chemistry. The candidate will also perform a variety of routine biochemical and biophysical duties under the supervision of a post doctoral fellow related to photosynthetic oxygen evolution, including, isolation and analysis of Photosystem II membranes from plant sources, maintain cyanobacterial cell cultures in photobioreactor system, purification and crystallization of Photosystem II from harvested cyanobacterial cells and assist with characterizing samples using spectroscopic methods.
Qualifications
Pursuing bachelors in Molecular and Cellular Biology or Chemistry
Expected time commitment
2 or 3 months
Preferred start time:
May 15