Objective
The objective of the proposed Network is to determine the detailed The Network will provide a unique multidisciplinary training base for a mechanism of energy conversion and stabilization by electron transport in period of three years for 151 man-months of post-doctoral workers, who will photosynthesis, the largest-scale chemical and biological process on earth, spend time in more than one laboratory, participate in an annual network meeting, and be exposed to more than 100 active researchers using a range on which virtually all life depends. The biochemistry of photosynthesis is now understood fairly well, but the biophysical aspects of the actual of biophysical methods at the cutting edge of biophysical research conversion of the quantum energy of light into the chemical free energy of separated charges and its subsequent stabilization, largely remain to be elucidated. Resolution of the molecular details of these processes will also have a significant impact on the understanding of electron transfer reactions crucial to many biological processes, as respiration and on the design of highly efficient biomimetic solar cells.
The construction and characterization of molecular complexes modelling such cells constitutes a second objective of the Network. All laboratories of the Network are working at the frontier of the application to photosynthesis of sophisticated biophysical techniques, especially the newest developments in pulsed and high-frequency EPR and solid-state NMR. In addition, all groups have acknowledged expertise in one or several of the latest biochemical preparation methods, including isolation, purification and crystallization of membrane proteins, site-selective bio-incorporation of spinisotopes and site-directed mutagenesis.
Funding Scheme
NET - Research network contractsCoordinator
2300 RA Leiden
Netherlands
Participants (6)
91191 Gif Sur Yvette
153 10 Athens
E1 4NS London
85747 Garching
10587 Berlin
35131 Padova