Electrochemical Studies of Redox Cofactors in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

光合反应中心氧化还原辅因子的电化学研究

• 批准号: 0842500
• 负责人: James Rusling
• 金额: $ 47.52万
• 依托单位: University of Connecticut
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2013-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0842500&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Electrochemical; Studies; Redox; Cofactors; Photosynthetic

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Photosynthetic systems use reaction center proteins to direct electrons across membranes to convert solar energy into chemical energy. The products of green plant photosynthesis are carbohydrates and oxygen, which form the basis for life on earth. Reaction center proteins are ideal experimental systems for examining these processes because they can be readily isolated, purified, and modified for studies seeking to establish the details of how they function. In addition, reaction centers serve as excellent model systems on which to base solar energy collection devices. This project aims to develop a functional understanding of reaction center proteins in photosynthetic systems utilizing advanced electrochemical studies. Ultrathin films containing the proteins will be used to facilitate electrical communication with electrodes and to provide rapid analysis of the protein-bound charge carriers. Advantages to this approach are that only tiny amounts of protein are required, and the films provide environments similar to that found in nature. Computer simulations of the experimental data will extract basic parameters that characterize key reactions and energies of the photosynthetic charge transfer processes. Such knowledge is critical for understanding how reaction center proteins achieve directional charge transport across membranes to produce carbohydrates and molecular oxygen. The broader impacts of this project include making fundamental contributions to the understanding of photosynthesis as a basis for the design of novel solar energy conversion devices. New graduate students and existing staff will be supported to assist in the research, thus providing employment for these individuals as an aid to the American economy. The project will provide a rich training ground in modern, interdisciplinary, bioscience research and education for the participants, which if possible will include underrepresented minorities and women. The modern techniques learned and the research experience gained will help to prepare them for productive scientific careers in the future.

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111 - 5）资助的。光合系统利用反应中心蛋白质引导电子穿过细胞膜，将太阳能转化为化学能。 绿色植物光合作用的产物是碳水化合物和氧气，它们构成了地球上生命的基础。反应中心蛋白质是研究这些过程的理想实验系统，因为它们可以很容易地分离，纯化和修饰，以研究它们如何发挥作用的细节。 此外，反应中心作为太阳能收集装置的基础，是一个很好的模型系统。该项目旨在利用先进的电化学研究开发光合系统中反应中心蛋白质的功能理解。含有蛋白质的超薄膜将用于促进与电极的电通信，并提供对蛋白质结合的电荷载体的快速分析。 这种方法的优点是只需要少量的蛋白质，并且薄膜提供了与自然界相似的环境。 实验数据的计算机模拟将提取表征光合电荷转移过程的关键反应和能量的基本参数。 这些知识对于理解反应中心蛋白质如何实现跨膜定向电荷传输以产生碳水化合物和分子氧至关重要。 该项目更广泛的影响包括为理解光合作用做出根本性贡献，作为设计新型太阳能转换装置的基础。 新的研究生和现有的工作人员将得到支持，以协助研究，从而为这些人提供就业机会，作为对美国经济的援助。 该项目将为参与者提供现代、跨学科、生物科学研究和教育方面的丰富培训基础，如有可能，参与者将包括代表人数不足的少数民族和妇女。 学到的现代技术和获得的研究经验将有助于他们为未来的生产性科学事业做好准备。