Volume 98, Numbers 1-3, 43-51, DOI: 10.1007/s11120-008-9391-1

Water splitting by Photosystem II—where do we go from here?

Thomas J. Wydrzynski

From the issue entitled "Recent Perspectives of Photosystem II: Structure, Function and Dynamics - In honor of Kimiyuki Satoh and Thomas Wydrzynski"

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Abstract

As this special issue shows, we know quite a lot about the workings of Photosystem II and the oxidation of water to molecular O2. 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 O2 and H2 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.

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