Unraveling Energy Transfer Processes in Photosynthetic Complexes

Algal light-harvesting antenna complexes (LHCs) are vital apparatus for energy capture and transfer in algal photosynthesis. Different from higher plants, algal LHCs are more diverse in terms of pigment compositions and structures. Within the past years, structures of some antenna complexes have been elucidated with the help of technological development in structural biology. Furthermore, the antennas transfer the absorbed energy at almost 100% efficiency to the reaction centres that perform the photochemical electron transfer reactions required for the conversion of the light energy into useful and storable chemical energy. The antenna complex has a broad cross-section of absorption and mainly transfer the absorbed energy to photosystem II. They can, however, function as an antenna of photosystem I, and their composition can be altered as a result of changes in the environmental light quality.

We invite researchers to contribute to the Special Issue on “Unraveling Energy Transfer Processes in Photosynthetic Complexes”, which is intended to serve as a unique multidisciplinary forum covering broad aspects of structural and functional characteristics of the photosynthetic antenna complex and the energy transfer mechanism in the complex. The potential topics include, but are not limited to:

- Antenna complex assembly and disassembly
- Structure analysis using Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) or X-Ray diffraction
- Antenna functional characteristics
- Energy transfer mechanisms in antenna
- Environmental adaptation mechanisms of antenna
- Energy conversion devices designed and manufactured based on Algal LHCs

Keywords: Photosynthetic antenna, Structure characteristics, Complex assembly, Cryo-EM, X-Ray diffraction, Functional characteristics, Energy transfer mechanism, Light absorption, Energy conversion devices, Transient Absorption Spectroscopy, Time-resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.