Photosynthesis - From Evolution of Fundamental Mechanisms to Radical Re-Engineering

Photosynthesis captures solar energy and converts it to forms useable by life. It has the largest footprint of any biological process on the planet, powering our entire biosphere, defining the composition of our atmosphere through oxygen production and sequestration of CO2 and supplying us with food to eat and energy to run our machines.

Delineating the fundamental mechanisms of photosynthetic energy conversion at molecular levels is critical for understanding how it enables and defines the energy budget of our ecosystem, and by identifying the limiting step(s) in the process it fosters endeavors to improve the efficiency and productivity of natural photosynthesis. More recently, this knowledge is being harnessed in attempts to radically re-engineer photosynthesis as self-replicating, self-assembling solar energy storage systems.