Photo-CIDNP MAS NMR Studies on photosynthetic reaction centers

Diller, A. (2007)

Doctoral Thesis

Photosynthesis is the process through which plants and photosynthetic organisms convert solar energy into chemical energy. The fundamental primary reaction of photosynthesis is charge separation which takes place in the photosynthetic reaction centers. Among all photosynthetic reaction centers, the oxidized electron donor of photosystem II is the strongest oxidizing agent known in living nature, based on this capability, water splitting and production of atmospheric oxygen is possible. Despite decades of research, the origin of this oxidizing power is not yet fully understood. Photo-CIDNP (Photochemically induced dynamic nuclear Polarization) MAS (Magic-angle spinning) NMR proves to be a valuable technique to gain information on the primary step of photosynthesis. The work revealed advantages of the technique in the area of solid-state NMR, such as faster scanning and spectral editing by applying it to various types of photosynthetic reaction centers. In addition, studies on isotope labeled photosystems from spinach enabled to generate a model for the donor of photosystem II addressing the origin of the high redox potential.

• Reaction centers
• Rhodobacter sphaeroides
• Redox potential
• Photosynthesis
• Solid state NMR
• Spinacia oleracea
• Photosystem I
• Photosystem II
• MAOSS
• Chromatophores
• Photo-CIDNP

• All authors: Diller, A.
• Supervisor: Groot, H.J.M. de
• Co-supervisor: Matysik, J.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2007-09-18
• ISBN (print): 9789090222189
• Court: LEI Universiteit Leiden
• Sponsorship: Gefördert von der Volkswagen-Stiftung (Förderinitiative "Intra- und intermolekulare Elektronenübertragung", I/78010)