My project

We will use our new state-of-the-art electron cryomicroscope to unravel the detailed structures of complex sub-cellular architectures in photosynthetic organisms; visualising such assemblies, and reconciling their organisation with their ability to harvest and store solar energy represents a grand challenge in structural biology. Recent spectacular advances in the use of cryoEM to visualise cells have yielded unprecedented levels of molecular detail. This is an exciting time to be involved in cryoEM! We will use as a model specimen, biochemically well characterized and relatively simple and thin artificial assemblies of bacterial light-harvesting complexes that mimic the more complex in vivo photosynthetic membrane architecture. This will help us learn about how these systems work as ensembles and aid in the design of artificial light harvesting devices. We will ultimately move onto more complex native photosynthetic assemblies and ultimately whole cells. To visualise whole photosynthetic cells in molecular detail is the ultimate challenge.

Connect

Not yet available.