Solar energy conversion by photosystem II: principles and structures

Photosynthetic water oxidation by Photosystem II (PSII) is a fascinating process because it sustains life on Earth and serves as a blue print for scalable synthetic catalysts required for renewable energy applications. The biophysical, computational, and structural description of this process, which started more than 50 years ago, has made tremendous progress over the past two decades, with its high-resolution crystal structures being available not only of the dark-stable state of PSII, but of all the semi-stable reaction intermediates and even some transient states. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on PSII with emphasis on the basic principles that govern the conversion of light energy to chemical energy in PSII, as well as on the illustration of the molecular structures that enable these reactions. The important remaining questions regarding the mechanism of biological water oxidation are highlighted, and one possible pathway for this fundamental reaction is described at a molecular level.

In memory of Vladimir Anatolievich Shuvalov (1943-2022): an outstanding biophysicist

We present here a tribute to one of the foremost biophysicists of our time, Vladimir Anatolievich Shuvalov, who made important contributions in bioenergetics, especially on the primary steps of conversion of light energy into charge-separated states in both anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis. For this, he and his research team exploited pico- and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, photodichroism & circular dichroism spectroscopy, light-induced FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy, and hole-burning spectroscopy. We remember him for his outstanding leadership and for being a wonderful mentor to many scientists in this area. Reminiscences by many [Suleyman Allakhverdiev (Russia); Robert Blankenship (USA); Richard Cogdell (UK); Arvi Freiberg (Estonia); Govindjee Govindjee (USA); Alexander Krasnovsky, jr, (Russia); William Parson (USA); Andrei Razjivin (Russia); Jian- Ren Shen (Japan); Sergei Shuvalov (Russia); Lyudmilla Vasilieva (Russia); and Andrei Yakovlev (Russia)] have included not only his wonderful personal character, but his outstanding scientific research.

Unique features of the 'photo-energetics' of purple bacteria: a critical survey by the late Aleksandr Yuryevich Borisov (1930-2019)

We provide here an edited version of the "Farewell discussion" by the late Aleksandr (Alex) Yuryevich (Yu) Borisov (1930-2019) on several aspects related to the excitation energy transfer in photosynthetic bacteria. It is preceded by a prolog giving the events that led to our decision to publish it. Further, we include here a few photographs to give a personal glimpse of this unique biophysicist of our time. In addition, we provide here a reminiscence, by Andrei B. Rubin, on the scientific beginnings of Borisov. This article follows a Tribute to Borisov by Semenov et al. (2019, Photosynthesis Research, this issue).

A sixty-year tryst with photosynthesis and related processes: an informal personal perspective

After briefly describing my early collaborative work at the University of Allahabad, that had laid the foundation of my research life, I present here some of our research on photosynthesis at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, randomly selected from light absorption to NADP⁺ reduction in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. These include the fact that (i) both the light reactions I and II are powered by light absorbed by chlorophyll (Chl) a of different spectral forms; (ii) light emission (fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and thermoluminescence) by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria provides detailed information on these reactions and beyond; (iii) primary photochemistry in both the photosystems I (PS I) and II (PS II) occurs within a few picoseconds; and (iv) most importantly, bicarbonate plays a unique role on the electron acceptor side of PS II, specifically at the two-electron gate of PS II. Currently, the ongoing research around the world is, and should be, directed towards making photosynthesis better able to deal with the global issues (such as increasing population, dwindling resources, and rising temperature) particularly through genetic modification. However, basic research is necessary to continue to provide us with an understanding of the molecular mechanism of the process and to guide us in reaching our goals of increasing food production and other chemicals we need for our lives.

Louis Nico Marie Duysens (March 15, 1921-September 8, 2015): a leading biophysicist of the 20th century

Louis Nico Marie (L. N. M.) Duijsens (Duysens) was one of the giants in the biophysics of photosynthesis. His PhD thesis "Transfer of Excitation Energy in Photosynthesis" (Duysens, 1952) is a classic; he introduced light-induced absorption difference spectroscopy to photosynthesis research and proved the existence of reaction centers, introducing advanced methods from physics to understand biological processes. Further, it is his 1959-1961 seminal work, with Jan Amesz, that provided evidence for the existence of the series scheme for the two light reactions in oxygenic photosynthesis. In one word, he was one of the master biophysicists of the 20th century-who provided direct measurements on many key intermediates, and made us understand the intricacies of photosynthesis with a simplicity that no one else ever did. We present here our personal perspective of the scientist that Lou Duysens was. For an earlier perspective, see van Grondelle and van Gorkom (Photosynth Res 120: 3-7, 2014).