Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
10:03
Proton Transfer and Protein Conformation Dynamics in Photosensitive Proteins by Time-resolved Step-scan Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: June 27, 2014
Different proposed applications of bacteriorhodopsin
Seema Trivedi1, Om Prakash Choudhary, Jitendra Gharu
1Department of Zoology, JN Vyas University, Jodhpur (Raj.), India. svtrived@hotmail.com
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences
|February 11, 2011
Summary
Bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a light-absorbing protein, converts light into energy for ATP production. Recent patents highlight its diverse applications in optics, medicine, and research.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Membrane Protein Research
Background:
- Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) is an integral membrane protein in Archaea.
- It resides in the purple membrane of Halobacteria.
- BR absorbs green light (500-650 nm) to generate an electrochemical gradient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review patented applications of Bacteriorhodopsin.
- Focus on applications developed in the last five years.
- Highlight BR's role in energy conversion.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of patents.
- Analysis of Bacteriorhodopsin's properties and functions.
- Survey of technological and medical applications.
Main Results:
- BR converts light energy into chemical energy.
- This process can be harnessed for electricity generation.
- Patented applications span optical devices, therapeutics, and research tools.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriorhodopsin's unique light-energy conversion capabilities are patented.
- Diverse applications demonstrate its versatility.
- BR holds significant potential in various scientific and technological fields.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Channel Rhodopsins
Most organisms use photoreceptors to sense and respond to light. Examples of photoreceptors include bacteriorhodopsins and bacteriophytochromes in some bacteria, phytochromes in plants, and rhodopsins in the photoreceptor cells of the vertebral retina. The light-sensitive property of these receptors is because of the bound chromophores, such as bilin in the phytochromes and retinal in the rhodopsins.
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...
01:30Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Anoxygenic photosynthesis is a phototrophic process that captures light energy to drive carbon fixation without producing molecular oxygen. Unlike oxygenic photosynthesis, which utilizes water as an electron donor and releases oxygen, anoxygenic phototrophs use alternative electron donors such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), elemental sulfur (S⁰), or thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻). This process is carried out by diverse groups of bacteria, including purple bacteria, green sulfur bacteria, heliobacteria, and...