Research Results
Feb 6, 2023
- Press Release
- Joint Research Paper
- Posting / Publishing
- Paper / PressRelease
- Posting / Publishing
Joint Research Results by S. Seki and R. Fujii (OMU), G. Kurisu (Osaka Univ.), and P. Qian (ThermoFisher) Featured on Science Japan Website
Our joint research results were featured on the website of Science Japan, the English version of The Science News, 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
Photosynthesis in the Sea: How Can It Be Efficient? Clarifying the Mechanism Utilizing Cryo-Electron Microscopy
Key Points of This Research
- High-Resolution Analysis of the Structure of the Photosynthetic Antenna of Marine Green Algae (Codium fragile) Using Cryo-Electron Microscopy!
- Elucidating the Structure and Substitution Positions of Pigments Bound to the Photosynthetic Antenna!
Summary
A research group consisting of Associate Professor Ritsuko Fujii (Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Osaka Metropolitan University), Graduate Student Soichiro Seki (Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University), Professor Genji Kurisu (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Researcher Pu Qian (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.), and their colleagues has, for the first time, clarified the structure and binding environment of pigments within a protein called the photosynthetic antenna of the marine green alga Codium fragile through analysis using a high-resolution electron microscopy. As a result, the molecular mechanism for efficiently utilizing blue-green light—the only light available in seawater—for photosynthesis has become clearer.
This research achievement (including results from the Joint Usage/Research Project #201820) was published online in BBA Advances on November 11, 2022.
This achievement provides clues to elucidating how seaweed performs photosynthesis at the bottom of the sea. I thought it was a highly cost-effective strategy to utilize green light for photosynthesis simply by slightly altering the pigment structure. Learning from such survival strategies of organisms is expected to lead to the utilization of sunlight and the development of renewable energy sources.
Ritsuko Fujii, Associate Professor
In addition to the people whose names are listed on the paper, many individuals have been involved in this research for many years. Inheriting the baton from my seniors, I have spent a long time devising everything from cultivation methods to protein purification techniques since I was assigned to the laboratory. I believe that this persistence led to the current results. I was deeply thrilled when I first saw this structure with Professor Fujii. Using this publication as a springboard, I will continue to aggressively push forward with my research.
Soichiro Seki, Graduate Student
Publication Information
| Journal: | BBA Advances |
|---|---|
| Title: | Structural insights into blue-green light utilization by marine green algal light harvesting complex II at 2.78 Å |
| Authors: | 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 |
Media Coverage and Releases
Media Coverage:
An article was published in The Science News (Issued on December 23, 2022, No. 3902).
The research was introduced on the website of Science Japan, the English version of The Science News, on February 3, 2023.
https://sj.jst.go.jp/news/202302/n0203-01k.html
Domestic Release:
All Press Releases (741.8KB)
Overseas Releases:
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
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/OsakaMetUniv.en/posts/pfbid0vJav84HBuiUyH3xQVm3eeWEzGuypmonkFaJpT7H9NZP8WXwjn1qzKjbCezQvTRyjl
Twitter
https://twitter.com/OsakaMetUniv_en/status/1602891724762017793
Research Inquiries:
Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University
Associate Professor Ritsuko Fujii
TEL: +81-6-6605-3624
E-mail: ritsuko[at]omu.ac.jp (Please change [at] to @)
Media Inquiries:
Public Relations Division, Osaka Metropolitan University
TEL: +81-6-6605-3411
E-mail: koho-list[at]ml.omu.ac.jp (Please change [at] to @)
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