Thesis supervisor: Győző Garab
co-supervisor: Petar Lambrev
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre H-6726 Szeged, Temesvári krt. 62. Abbreviation of location of studies: SZBK
Description of the research topic:
Photosystem II (PSII) is a large multi-subunit homodimeric protein complex embedded in the thylakoid membranes of cyanobacteria, algae and plants. It catalyzes the photo-oxidation of water, leading to the liberation of molecular oxygen - which created and maintains the oxygen-rich atmosphere and thus also the ozone shield of Earth. It also produces reducing equivalents ultimately used in the conversion of carbon dioxide into sugars. For its pivotal roles in the evolution of life and in feeding virtually all life on Earth, PSII is often called the engine of life. The blueprint of photosynthesis might serve the basis for biotechnological applications and for artificial photosynthesis. Hence, the structure and function of PSII and PSII ReCe, in particular, have been in the focus of photosynthesis research, and today our knowledge on this area is very well advanced: the ultrafast primary and slower secondary processes, charge separation and stabilization, electron and proton transfer and recombination pathways occurring in the ReCe have been determined and these processes can be interpreted using atomic resolution crystallographic structures. Nevertheless, several important questions can be raised which remain to be answered. Among these, (i) it is unclear if the structure of ReCe is static or possesses significant structural dynamics - essential for its function and during operation; (ii) are there conformational changes in PSII ReCe that are similar to those identified in the purple bacterial ReCe; (iii) does the variable chlorophyll fluorescence, that is widely used for testing photosynthetic performance, reflect solely the reduction of the first quinone acceptor (QA)?
Required language skills: English Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): English Further requirements: MSC of physics, chemistry or biology or qualification related to them.
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2017-09-27
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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