Jan Florian Kern
Department Head, Bioenergetics
Chemist Senior Scientist
Research Interests
My research is focused on elucidating the structure and function of metalloenzymes using a combination of X-ray methods. The main emphasis is on understanding the mechanism of light-driven water oxidation in Photosystem II, a large membrane protein present in all organisms that conduct oxygenic photosynthesis. For this purpose, we use very intense femtosecond X-ray pulses as delivered by the X-ray free electron laser, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), at Stanford. This technique allows us to record X-ray diffraction and X-ray spectroscopic data from the enzyme under working (physiological) conditions and provide information about the geometric and electronic structure of the catalytic site (a Mn4CaO5 cluster) of the enzyme during the water oxidation reaction. Also, we are working on generalizing these approaches to other metalloenzymes to study reaction intermediates not accessible with conventional X-ray methods.
Recent Publications
Related News
Ultrabright, Ultrashort X-ray Bursts Capture Enzymes in Action
Frame-by-frame ‘molecular movies’ reveal previously invisible intermediates, paving the way for potential new cancer treatments and antibiotics.
Mapping Photosynthesis for a Brighter Future
In this Q&A, MBIB researchers Jan Kern and Asmit Bhowmick delve into the discoveries from their recent structural biology studies of the photosynthetic apparatus in plants and bacteria.
Biosciences FY26 LDRD Projects
The Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at Berkeley Lab produces cutting-edge research for the DOE and the nation. Read about the Biosciences Area–led projects and multi-Area collaborations with Biosciences co-investigators receiving funding this cycle.
