Mimicking Photosynthetic Solar Energy Transduction

TLDR

Advances in photosynthetic energy conversion understanding, chemical synthesis, and instrumentation enable artificial nanoscale devices and semibiological hybrids that emulate many natural functions, including reaction centers that serve as bases for molecular‑level optoelectronic devices. Artificial light‑harvesting antennas can be synthesized and linked to artificial reaction centers that convert excitation energy to long‑lived charge separation; these can be incorporated into lipid bilayer membranes of artificial vesicles to function as light‑driven proton pumps generating a transmembrane proton motive force, which can drive ATP synthase to produce ATP, thereby mimicking the solar energy conversion system of a photosynthetic bacterium. The research demonstrates the advantages of designing functional nanoscale devices based on biological paradigms.

Abstract

Increased understanding of photosynthetic energy conversion and advances in chemical synthesis and instrumentation have made it possible to create artificial nanoscale devices and semibiological hybrids that carry out many of the functions of the natural process. Artificial light-harvesting antennas can be synthesized and linked to artificial reaction centers that convert excitation energy to chemical potential in the form of long-lived charge separation. Artificial reaction centers can form the basis for molecular-level optoelectronic devices. In addition, they may be incorporated into the lipid bilayer membranes of artificial vesicles, where they function as components of light-driven proton pumps that generate transmembrane proton motive force. The proton gradient may be used to synthesize adenosine triphosphate via an ATP synthase enzyme. The overall energy transduction process in the liposomal system mimics the solar energy conversion system of a photosynthetic bacterium. The results of this research illustrate the advantages of designing functional nanoscale devices based on biological paradigms.