Application Of Photosynthesis Research Articles

Revelations on photosystem II, thermoluminescence, and artificial photosynthesis: a retrospective of Govindjee from fundamentals to applications.

Photosynthesis, as one of the most important chemical reactions, has powered our planet for over four billion years on a massive scale. This review summarizes and highlights the major contributions of Govindjee from fundamentals to applications in photosynthesis. His research included primary photochemistry measurements, in the picosecond time scale, in both Photosystem I and II and electron transport leading to NADP reduction, using two light reactions. He was the first to suggest the existence of P680, the reaction center of PSII, and to prove that it was not an artefact of Chlorophyll a fluorescence. For most photobiologists, Govindjee is best known for successfully exploiting Chlorophyll a fluorescence to understand the various steps in photosynthesis as well as to predict plant productivity. His contribution in resolving the controversy on minimum number of quanta in favor of 8-12 vs 3-4, needed for the evolution of one molecule of oxygen, is a milestone in the area of photosynthesis research. Furthermore, together with Don DeVault, he is the first to provide the correct theory of thermoluminescence in photosynthetic systems. His research productivity is very high: ~ 600 published articles and total citations above 27,000 with an h-index of 82. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including a 2022: Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research. We hope that the retrospective of Govindjee described in this work will inspire and stimulate the readers to continue probing the photosynthetic apparatuses with new discoveries and breakthroughs.

FRET efficiency and antenna effect in multi-color DNA origami-based light harvesting systems

Artificial light harvesting complexes find applications in photosynthesis, photovoltaics and chemical sensors. Here, we present the characterization and optimization of a multi-color artificial light harvesting system on DNA origami structures.

The Effects of Abscisic Acid on Photosynthesis in Tomato Under Sub-High Temperature and High Light Stress

The present study investigated the role of abscisic acid (ABA) application in photosynthesis, photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII), antioxidant system and ABA-related genes expression under sub-high temperature and high light (STHL) stress. STHL treatment led to an irreversible reduction in the photosynthetic rate (Pn), damaged PSII firstly at three hours, and then inhibited RuBPCase activity at seven hours, at last injured PSI after eleven hours. During 11 hours STHL stress, exogenous ABA can alleviate the degree of Pn decreasing, improve the activity of RuBPCase, protect PSII to photoinhibition, and promote the ability of reactive oxygen removal. When severe stress occured, exogenous ABA has certain effect, but can not ease photoinhibition and photodamage. In addition, exogenous ABA effected significantly on genes of upstream regulatory ABA biosynthesis key enzymes and downstream response MYB transcription factors.

Sb/Mn co-doped oxyfluoride silicate glasses for potential applications in photosynthesis

A series of Sb/Mn co-doped oxyfluoride silicate glasses were prepared via the melt-quenching method to explore red luminescent materials for potential applications in photosynthesis of green plants, and these glasses are investigated by means of luminescence decay curves, absorption, emission, and excitation spectra. We find that the as-prepared glasses are transparent in the visible region and can emit strong red light under ultraviolet, purple, and green light excitations. Furthermore, energy transfer from Sb3+ to Mn2+ ions occurs in Sb/Mn co-doped glasses. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared Sb/Mn co-doped oxyfluoride silicate glasses may serve as a potential candidate for developing glass greenhouse, which can enhance the utilization of solar energy for the photosynthesis of the green plants.

Tuning into blue and red luminescence in dual-phase nano-glass–ceramics

A series of γ-Ga2O3 and β-YF3 nanocrystals embedded dual-phase glass ceramics co-doped with rare earth (Eu3+ or Tm3+) and transition metal (Cr3+) activators were successfully prepared by high-temperature melt-quenching to explore blue/red luminescent materials for potential application in photosynthesis of green plants. It is experimentally verified that Eu3+ (or Tm3+) ions partitioned into the crystallized orthorhombic YF3 nanophases, while Cr3+ ones entered into the precipitated cubic Ga2O3 nanocrystals after glass crystallization. Such spatial separation of the different active ions in the dual-phase glass ceramics can effectively suppress adverse energy transfers between rare earth and transition metal ions, resulting in their independent and efficient luminescence. As an example, it is experimentally demonstrated that both intense Tm3+ blue and Cr3+ deep-red emissions are easily achieved in the Tm3+/Cr3+ co-doped dual-phase glass ceramics.

Tuning into blue and red: europium single-doped nano-glass-ceramics for potential application in photosynthesis

Nano-glass-ceramics, which can convert ultraviolet photons into blue/red ones, were explored for potential application in the photosynthesis of plants.

Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of photoexcited triplet states

Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) is a double resonance technique which combines optical measurements (fluorescence, phosphorescence, absorption) with electron spin resonance spectroscopy. After the first triplet-state ODMR experiments in zero magnetic field reported in 1968 by Schmidt and van der Waals, the number of double resonance studies on excited triplet states grew rapidly. Photosynthesis has proven to be a fruitful field of application due to the intrinsic possibility of forming photo-induced pigment triplet states in many sites of the photosynthetic apparatus. The basic principles of this technique are described and examples of application in Photosynthesis are reported.

Dual-Wavelength Spectroscopy in Photosynthesis

Dual-wavelength spectroscopy allows the precise and fast measurement of small absorbance changes in highly absorbing and scattering samples (≦ 10-3 absorbance). The sensitivity of this method makes it possible to monitor directly redox changes of electron carriers in complex particulate biological systems. In this article, a description of the measuring principle of dual­wavelength spectroscopy is given with special reference to its application in photosynthesis.