Hemithioindigo-based photoswitches as ultrafast light trigger in chromopeptides

The dynamics of the photoisomerization of a novel hemithioindigo-based photoswitch forming a ω-amino acid derivate are presented. The photoisomerization is investigated by transient absorption spectroscopy yielding photoproduct formation in the 10-30 ps range. The ability of the hemithioindigo-based photoswitch to drive structural dynamics in peptides and proteins is tested on biologically relevant structures.