As this special issue shows, we know quite a lot about the workings of Photosystem II and the oxidation of water to molecular
O
2. However, there are still many questions and details that remain to be answered. In this article, I very briefly outline
some aspects of Photosystem II electron transport that are crucial for the efficient oxidation of water and require further
studies. To fully understand Photosystem II reactions is not only a satisfying intellectual pursuit, but is also an important
goal as we develop new solar technologies for the splitting of water into pure O
2 and H
2 for use as a potential fuel source. “As Students of the Past, We Send Greetings to the Students of the Future.”*
Keywords Photosynthesis - Photosystem II - O2 evolution - Water splitting - Future studies
*The Alma Mater of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.