Snapshots of active photosynthesis

Working with researchers in the US and Germany, Johannes Messinger at Umeå University is opening new avenues to understand photosynthesis and create artificial photosynthesis. Using x-ray analysis, they have managed to see the structure of molecules under conditions where photosynthesis can occur, and they have also found that calcium plays a critical role in decomposing water. The solar energy reaching the earth is 5,000 times greater than all energy consumption in the world. To be able to exploit this source of energy and store it would help solve humans' more and more acute energy problems. Two major research projects at Umeå University are devoted to developing artificial photosynthesis by imitating plants' extremely successful way of making use of energy from the sun. Both projects ("solar fuels" and "artificial leaf") are directed by Johannes Messinger, a professor at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University. To be able to create an "artificial leaf," researchers need to study the ingenious system that plants have used for millions of years on earth.