Dr Christopher Duffy
Senior Lecturer in Cellular and Molecular Biology
Director of Admissions (SBBS)
School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Photosynthetic Light-Harvesting, Open Quantum Systems, Astrobiology, Bioenergetics
Interests
I have a background in Theoretical Physics and a deep interest in Photosynthesis and, more generally, how light and biology interact. I use a variety of theoretical and computational methods to try and understand how photosynthetic organisms harvest energy efficiently yet safely. More recently, I have become interested in the limits of possibility for photosynthesis, collaborating with astronomers and astrophysicists in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences to try and understand if photosynthesis is possible around very different stars to our own Sun. It is interesting and fun to apply the principles of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics to understand whether photosynthesis would work around, say, a red dwarf star, how such organisms might be different from Earth's plants and algae, and whether we could detect it remotely.Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology2024
Reassessing the role and lifetime of Q x in the energy transfer dynamics of chlorophyll aKeil E, Kumar A, Bäuml L, Reiter S, Thyrhaug E, Moser S, Duffy CDP, de Vivie-Riedle R and Hauer J
Chemical Science, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) (Immediate Access)
27-11-2024
Optimizing photosynthetic light-harvesting under stars: simple and general antenna modelsChitnavis S, Gray C, Rousouli I, Gillen E, Mullineaux CW, Haworth TJ and Duffy CDP
Photosynthesis Research, Springer Nature vol. 162 (1), 75-92.
10-09-2024
2023
Photosynthesis under a red Sun: predicting the absorption characteristics of an extraterrestrial light-harvesting antennaDuffy CDP, Canchon G, Haworth TJ, Gillen E, Chitnavis S and Mullineaux CW
Monthly Notices of The Royal Astronomical Society, Oxford University Press vol. 526 (2), 2265-2277.
18-09-2023
Unravelling the fluorescence kinetics of light-harvesting proteins with simulated measurementsGray C, Kailas L, Adams PG and Duffy CDP
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (Bba) - Bioenergetics, Elsevier vol. 1865 (1)
11-09-2023
2022
Understanding Carotenoid Dynamics via the Vibronic Energy Relaxation ApproachŠebelík V, Duffy CDP, Keil E, Polívka T and Hauer J
Journal of Physical Chemistry B (Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysical Chemistry), American Chemical Society vol. 126 (22), 3985-3994.
24-05-2022
Trivial Excitation Energy Transfer to Carotenoids Is an Unlikely Mechanism for Non-photochemical Quenching in LHCIIGray C, Wei T, Polívka T, Daskalakis V and Duffy CDP
Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers vol. 12
13-01-2022
2021
Ultrafast energy transfer between lipid-linked chromophores and plant light-harvesting complex IIHancock AM, Son M, Nairat M, Wei T, Jeuken LJC, Duffy CDP, Schlau-Cohen GS and Adams PG
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 23 (35), 19511-19524.
26-08-2021
2020
A Protein Environment-Modulated Energy Dissipation Channel in LHCII Antenna ComplexSaccon F, Durchan M, Bína D, Duffy CDP, Ruban AV and Polívka T
Iscience, Elsevier vol. 23 (9)
02-08-2020
The simplicity of robust light harvestingDuffy CDP
Science, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 368 (6498), 1427-1428.
25-06-2020
Multimeric and monomeric photosystem II supercomplexes represent structural adaptations to low- and high-light conditionsKim E, Watanabe A, Duffy CDP, Ruban AV and Minagawa J
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 295 (43), 14537-14545.
19-06-2020
Photosynthetic light harvesting: Insights from multidisciplinary approachesGelin MF, Abramavicius D, Duffy C and Mančal T
Chemical Physics, Elsevier vol. 533
01-05-2020
Excitation quenching in chlorophyll–carotenoid antenna systems: ‘coherent’ or ‘incoherent’Balevičius V and Duffy CDP
Photosynthesis Research, Springer Verlag
08-04-2020
2019
Structural Basis for Allosteric Regulation in the Major Antenna Trimer of Photosystem II.Daskalakis V, Maity S, Hart CL, Stergiannakos T, Duffy CDP and Kleinekathöfer U
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Biophysical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Liquids, and Soft Matter, American Chemical Society
21-10-2019
How carotenoid distortions may determine optical properties: lessons from the Orange Carotenoid Protein.Wei T, Balevičius V, Polívka T, Ruban AV and Duffy CDP
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry
07-10-2019
The full dynamics of energy relaxation in large organic molecules: from photo-excitation to solvent heatingBalevičius Jr V, Wei T, Di Tommaso D, Abramavicius D, Hauer J, Polívka T and Duffy CDP
Chemical Science, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc)
02-04-2019
2018
A possible molecular basis for photoprotection in the minor antenna proteins of plantsFox KF, Ünlü C, Balevičius V, Ramdour BN, Kern C, Pan X, Li M, van Amerongen H and Duffy CDP
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (Bba) - Bioenergetics, Elsevier vol. 1859 (7), 471-481.
04-04-2018
2017
Fine control of chlorophyll-carotenoid interactions defines the functionality of light-harvesting proteins in plantsBalevicius V, Fox K, Bricker WP, Jurinovich S, Prandi IG, Mennucci B and DUFFY CDP
Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group vol. 7
24-10-2017
The Carotenoid pathway: What is important for excitation quenching in plant antenna complexes?Fox K, Balevicius V, Chmeliov J, Valkunas L, Ruban A and DUFFY CDP
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry
09-08-2017
2016
The nature of self-regulation in photosynthetic light-harvesting antennaChmeliov J, Gelzinis A, Songaila E, Augulis R, Duffy CDP, Ruban AV and Valkunas L
Nature Plants, Nature Publishing Group vol. 2 (5), 16045-16045.
18-04-2016
2015
Distortions of the Xanthophylls Caused by Interactions with Neighboring Pigments and the LHCII Protein Are Crucial for Studying Energy Transfer Pathways within the ComplexFox KF, Bricker WP, Lo C and Duffy CDP
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 119 (51), 15550-15560.
10-12-2015
Dissipative pathways in the photosystem-II antenna in plantsDuffy CDP and Ruban AV
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology, Elsevier vol. 152 (Pt B), 215-226.
15-09-2015
An ‘all pigment’ model of excitation quenching in LHCIIChmeliov J, Bricker WP, Lo C, Jouin E, Valkunas L, Ruban AV and Duffy CDP
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 17 (24), 15857-15867.
11-05-2015
2014
Economic photoprotection in photosystem II that retains a complete light-harvesting system with slow energy traps.Belgio E, Kapitonova E, Chmeliov J, Duffy CDP, Ungerer P, Valkunas L and Ruban AV
Nat Commun vol. 5
11-07-2014
Modeling the NMR signatures associated with the functional conformational switch in the major light-harvesting antenna of photosystem II in higher plants.Duffy CDP, Pandit A and Ruban AV
Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 16 (12), 5571-5580.
28-03-2014
2013
Light-harvesting processes in the dynamic photosynthetic antenna.Duffy CDP, Valkunas L and Ruban AV
Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 15 (43), 18752-18770.
21-11-2013
Modeling of fluorescence quenching by lutein in the plant light-harvesting complex LHCII.Duffy CDP, Chmeliov J, Macernis M, Sulskus J, Valkunas L and Ruban AV
J Phys Chem B vol. 117 (38), 10974-10986.
26-09-2013
Switching light harvesting complex II into photoprotective state involves the lumen-facing apoprotein loop.Belgio E, Duffy CDP and Ruban AV
Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 15 (29), 12253-12261.
07-08-2013
Quantum mechanical calculations of xanthophyll-chlorophyll electronic coupling in the light-harvesting antenna of photosystem II of higher plants.Duffy CDP, Valkunas L and Ruban AV
J Phys Chem B vol. 117 (25), 7605-7614.
27-06-2013
Changes in the Energy Transfer Pathways within Photosystem II Antenna Induced by Xanthophyll Cycle ActivityIlioaia C, Duffy CDP, Johnson MP and Ruban AV
Journal of Physical Chemistry B vol. 117 (19), 5841-5847.
01-01-2013
2012
A theoretical investigation of xanthophyll-protein hydrogen bonding in the photosystem II antenna.Duffy CDP and Ruban AV
J Phys Chem B vol. 116 (14), 4310-4318.
12-04-2012
The photoprotective molecular switch in the photosystem II antenna.Ruban AV, Johnson MP and Duffy CDP
Biochim Biophys Acta vol. 1817 (1), 167-181.
01-01-2012
Light-harvesting antenna composition controls the macrostructure and dynamics of thylakoid membranes in Arabidopsis.Goral TK, Johnson MP, Duffy CDP, Brain APR, Ruban AV and Mullineaux CW
Plant J vol. 69 (2), 289-301.
01-01-2012
Electronic Spectra of Structurally Deformed LuteinMacernis M, Sulskus J, Duffy CDP, Ruban AV and Valkunas L
Journal of Physical Chemistry A vol. 116 (40), 9843-9853.
01-01-2012
2011
Excitation Migration, Quenching and Regulation of Photosynthetic Light Harvesting in Photosystem II.Valkunas L, Chmeliov E, Trinkunas G, Duffy CDP, van Grondelle R and Ruban AV
J. Phys. Chem. B, American Chemical Society vol. 115 (29), 9252-9260.
01-07-2011
Natural light harvesting: principles and environmental trendsRuban AV, Johnson MP and Duffy CDP
Energ Environ Sci vol. 4 (5), 1643-1650.
01-05-2011
Photoprotective energy dissipation involves the reorganization of photosystem II light-harvesting complexes in the grana membranes of spinach chloroplasts.Johnson MP, Goral TK, Duffy CDP, Brain APR, Mullineaux CW and Ruban AV
Plant Cell vol. 23 (4), 1468-1479.
01-04-2011
Origin of Absorption Changes Associated with Photoprotective Energy Dissipation in the Absence of ZeaxanthinIlioaia C, Johnson MP, Duffy CDP, Pascal AA, van Grondelle R, Robert B and Ruban AV
J Biol Chem vol. 286 (1), 91-98.
07-01-2011
2010
A theoretical investigation of the photophysical consequences of major plant light-harvesting complex aggregation within the photosynthetic membrane.Duffy CDP, Johnson MP, Macernis M, Valkunas L, Barford W and Ruban AV
J Phys Chem B vol. 114 (46), 15244-15253.
25-11-2010
2008
Theoretical investigation of the role of strongly coupled chlorophyll dimers in photoprotection of LHCIIDuffy CDP, Ruban AV and Barford W
J Phys Chem B vol. 112 (39), 12508-12515.
02-10-2008
2006
Role of quantum coherence and energetic disorder in exciton transport in polymer filmsBarford W and Duffy CDP
Phys Rev B vol. 74 (7)
01-08-2006
2005
Limits on WIMP cross-sections from the NAIAD experiment at the boulby underground laboratoryAlner GJ, Araujo HM, Arnison GJ, Barton JC, Bewick A, Bungau C, Camanzi B, Carson MJ, Davidge D, Davies GJ, Davies JC, Daw E, Dawson JV, Duffy C, Durkin TJ, Gamble T, Hart SP, Hollingworth R, Homer GJ, Howard AS, et al.
Phys Lett B vol. 616 (1-2), 17-24.
09-06-2005
Grants
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Molecular Cell BiologyPhotosynthesis on Alien Worlds: What might it look like, and can it be detected?Christopher Duffy, Edward Gillen, Conrad Mullineaux and Thomas Haworth
£161,373 Leverhulme Trust
01-09-2023 - 31-08-2026