Research Results
Feb 6, 2023
- Press Release
- Joint Research Paper
- Posting / Publishing
The joint research findings of Grad. Student Seki (OCU), Assoc. prof. Fujii (OMU), Prof. Kurisu (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), and Pu Qian (ThermoFisher Scientific) were featured on the Science Japan website.
The findings of the joint research were featured on the website of Science Japan, the English version of the Science Newspaper, on February 3, 2023.
■ Group led by Osaka Metropolitan University analyzes efficient photosynthesis in Codium fragile with high-resolution electron microscopy
https://sj.jst.go.jp/news/202302/n0203-01k.html
Elucidating the mechanism of efficient photosynthesis in marine organisms using cryo-electron microscopy.
Point
- Cryo-EM analysis of the high-resolution structure of the photosynthetic antenna in the marine green alga Codium fragile.
- Determination of the structure and binding site of pigments within the photosynthetic antenna complex.
Summary
Using high-resolution electron microscopy, a research group led by Associate Professor Ritsuko Fujii (Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Osaka Metropolitan University), Soichiro Seki (a second-year doctoral student in the Graduate School of Science at the Osaka City University), Professor Genji Kurisu (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, and Pu Qian (a Scientist at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.) has determined the previously unknown structure and binding environment of pigments within the photosynthetic antenna of marine green algae Codium fragile. Their findings shed new light on the molecular mechanism underlying the efficient utilization of blue-green light, the predominant light source in seawater, for photosynthesis.
The research results (including Joint Research #201820) were published online in BBA Advances on November 11, 2022.
Our findings shed new light on the mechanisms by which marine algae perform photosynthesis in deep-sea environments. The ability of these organisms to efficiently harness green light for photosynthesis through minor modifications to pigment structure represents a remarkably efficient strategy. Understanding such biological innovations holds great promise for the development of novel solar energy technologies and renewable energy sources.
Associate Professor Ritsuko Fujii
This research is the culmination of many years of dedicated work by numerous individuals beyond those listed in the paper. Having inherited the research from my predecessors, I have continuously refined cultivation and protein purification techniques since joining the lab. The success of this project is a testament to my perseverance. I was deeply moved when I first saw this structure with Associate Professor Fujii. With this publication as a springboard, I am committed to advancing my research.
Soichiro Seki, Graduate Student
Publication Information
| Publications: | BBA Advances |
|---|---|
| Title of Paper: | Structural insights into blue-green light utilization by marine green algal light harvesting complex II at 2.78 Å |
| 著者： | Soichiro Seki, Tetsuko Nakaniwa, Pablo Castro-Hartmann, Kasim Sader, Akihiro Kawamoto, Hideaki Tanaka, Pu Qian, Genji Kurisu, Ritsuko Fujii |
| URL: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadva.2022.100064 |
[Published]
An article was published in the Science Newspaper (No. 3902 published on December 23, 2022).
On February 3, 2023, the research was introduced on the website of Science Japan.
https://sj.jst.go.jp/news/202302/n0203-01k.html
[Domestic Release]
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[Overseas Release]
EurekAlert!: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/974262
AlphaGalileo: https://www.alphagalileo.org/Item-Display/ItemId/228562
AsiaResearchNews: https://asiaresearchnews.com/content/shedding-light-photosynthesis-sea-0
【OMU Web and SNS】
https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/info/research-news/entry-19936.html
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Twitter
https://twitter.com/OsakaMetUniv_en/status/1602891724762017793
Inquiries about research
Ritsuko Fujii (Associate Professor, Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis / Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University)
TEL：06-6605-3624
E-mail：ritsuko[at]omu.ac.jp [at] (Change [at] to @)
Inquiries about the press
Osaka Metropolitan University Public Relations Division
TEL：06-6605-3411
E-mail：koho-list[at]ml.omu.ac.jp (Change [at] to @)
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