Topic of the talk:
Exoelectrogenesis as an enduring extracellular electron transport pathway in photosynthetic bacteria
Referent:
Dr. Laura Wey
Photosynthetic Microbes Group, University of Turku, Finnland
When?
December 3, 2024 | 2:30 pm
Where?
in KUBUS 1CD
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Permoserstrasse 15
04318 Leipzig
In this seminar Dr. Laura Wey will present her research on exoelectrogenesis – the fascinating behaviour of photosynthetic microorganisms (and chloroplasts) whereby they export electrons to their external environment. Her work aims to elucidate the underlying biophotoelectrochemical mechanisms of exoelectrogenesis, identifying the electron sources and pathways involved, as well as how this process interacts with other auxiliary electron transport pathways within the cell. She will discuss how she has coupled photoelectrochemistry with photosynthesis spectroscopy to analyse photocurrent profiles alongside key photosynthetic parameters, such as P700 and ferredoxin redox kinetics, of mutants lacking photosystems or intracellular electron sinks, such as flavodiiron proteins and the NDH-1 complex. Their findings reveal that while intracellular electron transport pathways initially dominate, exoelectrogenesis persists long-term, continuing to generate photocurrent even in the presence of a strong heterologous intracellular electron sink.
She looks forward to sharing these findings and their potential implications for green energy and biotechnology.
All members of b-ACT matter are cordially invited!