Photosynthesis – Powered by the Sun

Program Description

Oxygen, that supports all aerobic life, is abundant in the atmosphere because of its constant regeneration by photosynthetic water oxidation by green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. The light-induced oxidation of water to dioxygen, catalyzed by a Mn4Ca cluster associated with the photosystem II complex, is one of the most important chemical processes occurring on such a large scale in the biosphere. Our research goal is to understand the water-oxidation mechanism of natural photosynthesis and apply the insights to create artificial solar-energy based devices.