Developments in Brief : Researchers Get Close-Up View of Bacteria Photosynthesis Molecule

Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois have figured out the structure of a photosynthesis molecule, a finding that may lead to new understanding of how plants use light to create food and fuel.

Using computer images based on a similar molecule’s structure developed by German scientists, the Argonne researchers charted a photosynthesis molecule found in a bacteria, said Dan Giroux, a lab spokesman.

Photosynthesis is the process in which light stimulates a chemical reaction, often producing sugars from carbon monoxide and water present in plants or bacteria. The photosynthesis molecules in some bacteria are simpler than most found in plants.

“We use bacteria as a model that will give us information about more complex systems,” said Marianne Schiffer, leader of the biology group that determined the structure.

The mapped molecule contains nearly 10,000 atoms, and time-consuming work lies ahead as researchers try to get a better picture of how each atom fits in the full structure. But once the details are known, it may be possible to build and modify synthetic molecules to convert light into usable products, she said.

“If we fully understood photosynthesis, it might be possible to build solar chemical factories to make food and fuel faster and with higher overall quality than nature can,” said Argonne chemist James Norris.