Photosystem I and Synthetic Biology

Exploiting solar energy: Coupling of photosystem I to other enzyme systems

PS I generates the most negative redox potential in nature (-1.2 V) and operates with an unprecedented quantum yield close to 1.0, unmatched by any other known biological or chemical system. This makes PS I an excellent energy transducing source to drive enzymatic reactions dependent on a strong reductant and PS I is well suited for future endeavours into light-driven synthesis of chemical complex structures using the principles of synthetic biology and the “share your parts” idea. Thus we are aiming at coupling PSI directly to a cytochrome P450 (P450) to develop a system in which the enzymatic reaction of P450s is driven directly by the energy of solar light.