We focus on understanding how the capture of solar energy in photosynthetic systems is converted to stored chemical products through various electron transfer processes and pathways in both cyanobacteria and algae.
Photosynthesis employs a number of electron flow pathways—including linear, cyclic, and alternative—toward specific generation of reduced compounds. We study the electron transfer events within and peripheral to the photosynthetic energy transduction (PET) chain in cyanobacteria and algae, as well as how those pathway components are coordinated both kinetically and structurally.
We use a systems biology approach, incorporating metabolomics and fluxomics, to determine the constituents of energy networks (downstream of photosynthesis) that interact with photosynthetically generated reducing equivalents.
Photosynthetically fixed carbon is partitioned into numerous biosynthetic pathways. NREL studies the regulation of carbon partitioning using genetic, physiological, and spectroscopic techniques.
Spectroscopic analyses of whole cells as well as isolated pathway components are performed to investigate electron transfer processes and mechanisms in the PET chain and with its interacting partners. These techniques support the studies of photosynthetic energy generation and utilization.
Photosynthetic Energy Transduction research at NREL is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, and Biological and Environmental Research Programs, and the EERE Bioenergy Technologies Office.