BBSRC: Man-made photosynthesis possible

To replicate photosynthesis in a laboratory might sound like sound fiction – but researchers at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) think it’s far from impossible.

However brilliant the process of photosynthesis in nature is, scientists have for a long time known that it is not very efficient. In fact, its efficiency is in the region of one percent.

This is why scientists are now devoting their time to try and find a way to create an ‘artificial leaf’ that could improve on the natural process of photosynthesis and provide future generations with liquid energy derived from solar power.

The chief executive of the BBSRS, Professor Douglass Kell, says funding for this research is vital. He adds: “We are facing global challenges in food and energy security that must be addressed. Improving photosynthesis within plants, or externally using synthetic biology, would bring huge benefits.”

One of the most eminent scientists currently working in this field is the University of Glasgow’s Roger Cogdell.

According to Cogdell utilising the energy from the sun for everyday use is not that easy. One way of capturing the energy from the sun is by using solar panels. This process is, however, intermittent and it is difficult to store the energy.

Their research is therefore focused on developing a more efficient process by which the energy of the sun can be captured and stored for later use.

He explains: “We are working to devise an analogous robust chemical system that could replicate photosynthesis artificially on a grand scale. This artificial leaf would create solar collectors that produce a fuel, as opposed to electricity.”

The scientists hope to utilise a chemical process similar to photosynthesis in order to achieve this.  Their research is currently focussed on using synthetic biology to duplicate the process of photosynthesis.

Professor Howard Griffiths from the University of Cambridge is involved in similar research. He hopes to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis by developing an artificial system that used an enzyme called RuBisCO.  In nature this enzyme is a key element that allows plants to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into high-energy molecules, such as sugar.

Some plants have developed mechanisms that function like ‘biological turbochargers’.  They optimize the process of photosynthesis by concentrating carbon dioxide around the enzyme.  This boosts production and growth.

Griffiths explains: “By combining algal and plant photosynthesis to improve photosynthetic efficiency we would see an increase in agricultural productivity for the production of food and renewable energy.”

Why is this type of research so important? Artificial photosynthesis might one day provide humanity with vital fuel for its transportation systems. Since the process does not compete for arable land, it will have no effect on our food supply.