Nature has evolved remarkable redox-active proteins, such as cytochromes and microbial nanowires, that enable efficient electron transfer across biological membranes and long molecular distances. These protein architectures inspire new paradigms in sustainable energy conversion and biosensing, but their integration into functional devices remains a challenge due to limited stability, orientation control, and poor electronic coupling with materials. In this talk, I will present a materials-driven strategy to rewire these natural electron transfer systems by embedding heme-containing proteins into colloidosomal organic frameworks. These soft-matter architectures mimic membrane-like environments while enabling hierarchical assembly, enhanced structural stability, and tunable redox accessibility. We demonstrate that such hybrid assemblies retain protein activity and enable light-driven electron flow, paving the way for self-powered biosensors and energy harvesters. This interdisciplinary platform bridges protein engineering with nanomaterials design, offering a new route to programmable, long-lived, and environmentally responsive redox systems.
 

Biosketch: Dr. Raheleh Ravanfar joined Texas Tech University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in August 2023. She served as a postdoctoral scholar research associate in the Harry B. Gray Research Group at the California Institute of Technology from 2020 to 2023. She completed her Ph.D. degree in the Alireza Abbaspourrad Research Group at Cornell University in 2019. She is a recipient of ACS Petroleum Research Fund (ACS PRF) grant Award from the American Chemical Society, and Cornell Technology Acceleration and Maturation (CTAM) Fund Award from Cornell University. Her mentorship has been recognized by Phi Beta Kappa Society, the President’s STEM Mentoring Academy, and the Faculty Mentorship Academy.