Related papers: Shuttle-mediated proton pumping across the inner m…
We present two models for electron-driven uphill proton transport across lipid membranes, with the electron energy converted to the proton gradient via the electrostatic interaction. In the first model, associated with the cytochrome c…
We examine a simple model of proton pumping through the inner membrane of mitochondria in the living cell. We demonstrate that the pumping process can be described using approaches of condensed matter physics. In the framework of this…
Respiration in bacteria involves a sequence of energetically-coupled electron and proton transfers creating an electrochemical gradient of protons (a proton-motive force) across the inner bacterial membrane. With a simple kinetic model we…
We study a model of a light-induced proton pump in artificial reaction centers. The model contains a molecular triad with four electron states (i.e., one donor state, two photosensitive group states, and one acceptor state) as well as a…
We examine charge transport through a system of three sites connected in series in the situation when an oscillating charged piston modulates the energy of the middle site. We show that with an appropriate set of parameters, charge can be…
The Q-cycle mechanism entering the electron and proton transport chain in oxygenic photosynthesis is an example of how biological processes can be efficiently investigated with elementary microscopic models. Here we address the problem of…
The Q-cycle mechanism plays an important role in the conversion of the redox energy into the energy of the proton electrochemical gradient across the biomembrane. The bifurcated electron transfer reaction, which is built into this…
We use computer simulations to study the kinetics and mechanism of proton passage through a narrow-pore carbon-nanotube membrane separating reservoirs of liquid water. Free energy and rate constant calculations show that protons move across…
The atmospheric secondary proton flux is studied for altitudes extending from sea level up to the top of atmosphere by means of a 3-dimensional Monte-Carlo simulation procedure successfully used previously to account for flux measurements…
Herein (the first part of my work), I debunk the long-standing hypotheses that explain mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Simple calculations point out that mitochondria are highly proton-deficient microcosms and therefore, elaborate…
We propose a simple model of cytochrome c oxidase, including four redox centers and four protonable sites, to study the time evolution of electrostatically coupled electron and proton transfers initiated by the injection of a single…
Efficient electrochemical energy devices are vital to renewable energy technology, yet coordinating the effective flow of electrons, ions, and chemical species continues to be a major challenge. In conventional proton-exchange membrane fuel…
A nano-shuttle consisting of two metallic islands connected in series and integrated between two contacts is studied. We evaluate the electron transport through the system in the presence of a source-drain voltage with and without an RF…
We analyze the dynamics of rotary biomotors within a simple nano-electromechanical model, consisting of a stator part and a ring-shaped rotor having twelve proton-binding sites. This model is closely related to the membrane-embedded F$_0$…
As programs to support efficient and sustainable energy sources are expanding, research into the potential applications of the hydrogen vector is accelerating. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are electrochemical converters that…
Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is a redox-driven proton pump that powers synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and active transport in most organisms. This gigantic enzyme reduces quinone (Q) to quinol (QH2) in its…
Multi-heme cytochromes (MHC) are fascinating proteins used by bacterial organisms to shuttle electrons within and between their cells. When placed in a solid state electronic junction, they support temperature-independent currents over…
Challenging space mission scenarios include those in low altitude orbits, where the atmosphere creates significant drag to the S/C and forces their orbit to an early decay. For drag compensation, propulsion systems are needed, requiring…
Irradiation of biological matter triggers a cascade of secondary particles that interact with their surroundings, resulting in damage. Low-energy electrons are one of the main secondary species and electron-phonon interaction plays a…
Room-temperature Coulomb blockade of charge transport through composite nanostructures containing organic inter-links has recently been observed. A pronounced charging effect in combination with the softness of the molecular links implies…