Re-wiring photosynthesis using an interdisciplinary toolkit

The harnessing of solar energy to perform complex chemistries sustainably and on a global scale has been mastered by nature over 3.4 billion years ago with the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis. The ability to wire photosynthetic components to electrodes for photoelectrochemical studies is a relatively new approach for studying photosynthesis, and forms the basis of semi-artificial photosynthesis, a field that re-wires bioenergetic pathways for solar energy conversion.^1,2

Here, I will give an overview of how photosystems, membranes and living cells can be re-wired to high surface area electrodes to allow us to hijack electrons from photosynthesis. These electrons can be used to drive solar fuel/electricity generation, whilst also helping us to glimpse into the bioenergetics and physiology of the bio-systems.³ To achieve this, we explore highly interdisciplinary approaches that combines tools from chemistry, engineering, physics and biology. 

References of interest

1. J. Z. Zhang, E. Reisner, Advancing photosystem II photoelectrochemistry for semi-artificial photosynthesis. Nature Rev. Chem. 4, 6 (2020).
2. J. M. Lawrence, J. Z. Zhang et al., Rewiring photosynthetic electron transport chains for solar energy conversion. Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 1, 887 (2023)
3. T. Baikie et al., Photosynthesis re-wired on the pico-second timescale. Nature, 615, 836 (2023)

Host: Amanda Jarvis