RII Track-4:NSF: Tracking assembly intermediates of the Photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex

RII Track-4：NSF：跟踪光系统 II 放氧复合物的组装中间体

• 批准号: 2131863
• 负责人: David Vinyard
• 金额: $ 15.16万
• 依托单位: Louisiana State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-02-01 至 2024-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2131863&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RII; Track; NSF; Tracking; assembly

Plants and some microbes use photosynthesis to efficiently convert solar energy to chemical energy. However, the detailed mechanisms used in natural photosynthesis are not fully understood. By learning how biology makes fuels using cheap resources (sunlight, water, proteins, abundant metals), molecular-level blueprints can be generated for catalysis strategies with industrial and energy applications. This project aims to reveal the mechanism by which manganese and calcium ions bind to a photosynthetic protein to make an active site where molecular oxygen is released when water is oxidized. Protein samples will be prepared in the PI’s home laboratory and then studied using advanced instrumentation in the Solar Energy Conversion Group at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The PI and one graduate student will gain hands-on experience in spectroscopic techniques. Skills learned during this fellowship will advance the development of this type of instrumentation at the home institution to increase research capabilities and provide opportunities for future students.This project aims to reveal the chemical mechanism of the assembly of the Photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). This metallic cluster is built in situ from free manganese ions, calcium ions, and water without the use of protein transporters or scaffolds. Advanced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy tools available at ANL will be used to characterize protein samples prepared to mimic various stages of OEC assembly. The hosts at ANL will provide facility access, training, technical expertise, and assistance with data analysis. Through this work, new insights into the mechanism of OEC assembly will be produced and a new collaboration between the PI and hosts at ANL will be established. The skills and knowledge in advanced EPR methods gained by the PI will be used to improve the research infrastructure in Louisiana.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

植物和一些微生物使用光合作用将太阳能有效转化为化学能。但是，自然光合作用中使用的详细机制尚不完全了解。通过了解生物学如何使用廉价资源（阳光，水，蛋白质，丰富的金属）制造燃料，可以为具有工业和能源应用的催化策略生成分子级蓝图。该项目旨在揭示锰和钙离子与光合同的蛋白结合的机制，以使活跃的位点在氧化水时释放分子氧的活性位点。蛋白质样品将在PI的家用实验室中制备，然后在Argonne National Laboratory（ANL）的太阳能转换组中使用高级仪器进行研究。 PI和一名研究生将获得光谱技术的动手经验。在这一奖学金中学习的技能将推动家庭机构的这种仪器的发展，以提高研究能力并为未来的学生提供机会。该项目旨在揭示光系统II II氧气氧气氧气综合体（OEC）的化学机制。该金属簇是由自由锰离子，钙离子和水原位建造的，而无需使用蛋白质转运蛋白或脚手架。 ANL的ANL主机可在ANL提供的高级电子顺磁共振（EPR）光谱工具将提供设施访问，培训，技术专业知识和数据分析的帮助。通过这项工作，将产生对OEC大会机制的新见解，并将在ANL建立PI与主机之间的新合作。 PI获得的高级EPR方法中的技能和知识将用于改善路易斯安那州的研究基础设施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并通过使用基金会的知识分子和更广泛的影响评估标准来评估NSF的法定任务。