The Heisenberg group of M. Brecht investigates the properties of single proteins and bio-nano-hybrids by low temperature single molecule spectroscopy (LT-SMS). At low temperatures, the rigid constraints that result from the low photo stability of dyes at room temperature can be circumvented. That way high resolution spectroscopy of single proteins can be performed, while at the same time e.g. the life time of the excited state can be determined by "time correlated single photon counting" (TCSPC). The work focuses on photosynthetic proteins, which are often deemed as solar cells on the nanoscale due to their ability to collect light and convert it to electrical energy. These proteins are not only used to study (1) their specific properties, but also for a general study of (2) the protein dynamics, (3) energy transfer, and (4) changes of the protein function due to interactions with plasmonic nanostructures.

Close connections exist with the groups of Meixner/Zhang (single molecule near-field spectroscopy), Kern/Fleischer (plasmonic surfaces) and Schreiber (protein interface adsorption).