Plants convert light energy into chemical energy. For this energy conversion, photosynthetic cells have specialised membranes containing several large integral pigment-protein complexes. The organisation and function of these membranes and the macromolecular complexes are very similar in organisms ranging from cyanobacteria to higher plants. Groups within UPSC are studying many aspects related to light reactions of photosynthesis. The structure of these membranes and the interaction with their protein constituents is one such example. Another is the composition and function of the light-harvesting antenna, including modifications during over-wintering in conifers. The reaction centre and its dynamics is also studied and related to mechanisms for dissipation of excess light energy, as well as the electron transport and its linkage to ATP and NADPH production.

 

 

Petter Gustafsson Structure, function and regulation of the light antenna in cyanobacteria
Stefan Jansson The photosynthetic antenna proteins and functional genomics of aspen leaves
Gunnar ÷quist Stress and adaptation mechanisms in photsynthesis
Eva Selstam The prolamellar body structure