Molecular mechanism of photosynthetic energy conversion

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.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins
• natural sciences › biological sciences › botany
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › energy conversion

Programme(s)

• FP4-TMR - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 02 - ACCESS TO LARGE-SCALE FACILITIES

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

NET - Research network contracts

Coordinator

Rijksuniversiteit Leiden

Address

2,niels Borhweg
2300 RA Leiden
Netherlands

Participants (6)

COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE

France

Address

Ctr Etudes De Saclay - Ce-s 532
91191 Gif Sur Yvette

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 'DEMOKRITOS'

Greece

Address

Patriarchou Grigoriou, Aghia Paraskevi
153 10 Athens

QUEEN MARY AND WESTFIELD COLLEGE - UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

United Kingdom

Address

Mile End Road
E1 4NS London

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH

Germany

Address

Lichtenbergstrasse 4
85747 Garching

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN

Germany

Address

135,franklinstr. 29
10587 Berlin

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA

Italy

Address

Via Loredan 2
35131 Padova