Membrane Environment Enables Ultrafast Isomerization of Amphiphilic Azobenzene -INVITED

We report on the isomerization dynamics of an amphiphilic azobenzene that dwells within the plasma membrane. We found that in aggregates formed in water, the isomerization reaction is hindered, while radiative deactivation is favoured. However, once in the membrane, the molecule reacquires its isomerisation capacity. These data fully account for the recently reported experiments in neurons, showing that the amphiphilic azobenzenes are effective light actuators for the modification of the electrical state of the membrane.