Photosynthesis in Cyanobacteria: Mechanisms, Adaptations, and Bioengineering for Sustainable Futures

Cyanobacteria are among the most ancient oxygenic phototrophs, playing a central role in shaping Earth’s atmosphere and sustaining global biogeochemical cycles. Their photosynthetic machinery not only provides fundamental insights into the evolution and organization of oxygenic photosynthesis but also represents a versatile model to study light harvesting, electron transport, and regulatory mechanisms. The structural and functional diversity of cyanobacterial thylakoids, photosystems, and antenna complexes has revealed unique strategies of light utilization and photoprotection, many of which differ from those of algae and plants. Beyond their ecological relevance, cyanobacteria have attracted increasing attention as promising platforms for biotechnology. Their ability to integrate photosynthesis with carbon and nitrogen metabolism, combined with their amenability to genetic engineering, positions them at the forefront of efforts to develop sustainable bioenergy solutions and novel bioproducts.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an integrative perspective on cyanobacterial photosynthesis, highlighting both fundamental mechanisms and applied opportunities. Despite decades of research, many aspects of light harvesting, photoprotection, and metabolic integration remain unresolved, particularly under fluctuating environmental conditions. Understanding how cyanobacteria regulate photosynthetic efficiency and resilience is crucial to uncover their evolutionary strategies and to harness their potential for biotechnology. Contributions to this Topic may address the molecular mechanisms of photosystems and antenna complexes, photoprotective proteins such as OCP and flavodiiron proteins, and the interplay between photosynthesis, carbon fixation, and nitrogen assimilation. We also seek studies that explore adaptive responses to stress and how these influence productivity. Finally, we invite perspectives on bioengineering approaches aimed at optimizing photosynthesis for biohydrogen production, biofuels, and hybrid systems such as biophotovoltaics. By integrating fundamental and applied research, this Topic aims to advance cyanobacteria-based innovations for sustainable futures.

This Research Topic will cover both fundamental and applied aspects of cyanobacterial photosynthesis. We welcome contributions that address:

• Evolution and structural organization of thylakoids, photosystems, and antenna complexes.

• Regulatory mechanisms of light harvesting, photoprotection, and state transitions.

• The role of photoprotective proteins such as OCP and flavodiiron proteins.

• Responses to environmental stresses and the integration of photosynthesis with carbon and nitrogen metabolism.

• Studies connecting molecular mechanisms with ecological adaptation or biotechnological applications.

• Bioengineering approaches to optimize photosynthetic efficiency and improve biomass productivity.

• Development of sustainable bioproducts such as biohydrogen, biofuels, and hybrid photosynthetic systems.

We invite a broad range of article types, including Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Methods, that provide novel insights into cyanobacterial photosynthesis and its potential for sustainable innovation.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Cyanobacteria, Photosynthesis, Photoprotection, Phycobilisomes, Flavodiiron proteins, Metabolic integration, Bioengineering, Synthetic biology, Sustainable biotechnology

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.