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Researchers at the University of Liverpool and collaborators have arrived at a new understanding of bacterial photosynthesis. Using novel techniques, investigators have unveiled intricate detailed images of the key photosynthetic protein complexes of purple bacteria. These images shed new light on how these microorganisms harness solar energy.

The work is published in the journal Science Advances.

The study not only advances scientists' understanding of bacterial photosynthesis, but also has potential applications in the development of artificial photosynthetic systems for clean energy production.

Like plants, many bacteria have evolved the remarkable ability to convert light into energy through a process called bacterial photosynthesis. This important biological reaction enables the microorganisms to play a crucial role in global nutrient cycles and energy flow in ecosystems and form the basis of aquatic food chains. Studying ancient bacterial photosynthesis also helps to understand the evolution of life on Earth.

This latest work presents high-resolution structures of photosynthetic reaction center−light-harvesting complexes (RC−LH1) from Rhodobacter blasticus, a model organism for understanding bacterial photosynthesis.

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