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Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization
Published on: December 29, 2013
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The biological water-oxidizing complex at the nano-bio interface
Mohammad Mahdi Najafpour1, Mohadeseh Zarei Ghobadi2, Anthony W Larkum3
1Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan 45137-66731, Iran; Center of Climate Change and Global Warming, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan 45137-66731, Iran.
Trends in Plant Science
|July 18, 2015
Summary
Scientists mapped the water-splitting site in photosystem II (PSII), revealing the manganese-calcium cluster. This knowledge aids in designing artificial catalysts for clean solar energy technologies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Photosynthesis is crucial for life, providing food and oxygen.
- Oxygenic photosynthesis utilizes water for hydrogen and reducing equivalents in CO2 reduction.
- Photosystem II (PSII) plays a central role in water splitting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure of photosystem II (PSII), focusing on the manganese-calcium (Mn-Ca) cluster.
- To understand the water-splitting site within PSII.
- To provide criteria for designing artificial water-oxidizing catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a recent crystal structure of PSII at 1.9-1.95Å resolution.
- Detailed mapping of the manganese-calcium (Mn-Ca) cluster structure.
- Review of existing knowledge on water oxidation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- An unparalleled map of the PSII structure, particularly the Mn-Ca cluster, has been achieved.
- The structure provides detailed insights into the water-splitting site.
- Knowledge of the water-splitting site offers critical design parameters for artificial catalysts.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the PSII water-splitting site is key to developing artificial manganese-based water-oxidizing catalysts.
- This research facilitates the advancement of clean and sustainable solar energy technologies.
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