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Photosynthesis and the Web: 2008
Individual Researcher's SitesIn this section we are listing a number of individual sites that we feel are quite well done. We favor sites that are created and maintained by the individuals themselves, not their departments, and which contain detailed research descriptions (not just brief summaries), useful figures, links to other sites, and personal information that help us see the researcher as a person. Many of the sites we've selected may seem a bit simple when first viewed, but their richness is revealed when links (sometimes very subtle) are followed. Many more web sites will be found in the "Nicelist" web site maintained by one of us (LO) (http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/nicelist.html). All sites are listed alphabetically by the researcher's last name. We apologize in advance to those we may have missed and will add new links to the online version as we discover them. Feel free to let us know of any amazing sites you create or run across. John F. Allen (http://jfa.bio.qmul.ac.uk/~john/webstar/john/index.html). A deceptively simple site that contains quiet links to many areas of photosynthesis as well as interesting private places. There are tours; there is animation; and there is music. John Allen was one of the very first photosynthesis researchers to have his own site. James Barber (http://www.bc.ic.ac.uk/research/barber/index.html). This site contains well-illustrated pages involving his research into Photosystem II, Photosystem I and other pages of interest. Carl Bauer (http://www.bio.indiana.edu/~bauerlab/). Pages found here cover photosystem gene expression, evolution of photosynthesis and more. Robert E. Blankenship (http://biology4.wustl.edu/faculty/blankenship/). Interesting lab site with pages describing work on Photosystem I, chlorosomes, the Fenna-Mathews-Olson protein, evolution of photosynthesis and much more. Includes photos (http://biology4.wustl.edu/faculty/blankenship/images/AlvinTripSummer2000/index.html) from a dive in the Alvin submersible during which photosynthetic organisms were found living in the depths around volcanic vents! (http://www.asu.edu/feature/includes/summer05/readmore/photosyn.html) Donald Bryant (http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/bryant.html) discusses research on structure and function and biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus of cyanobacteria and green sulfur bacteria, control of gene expression, and physiology. Most of the details and figures are found by clicking on the link to his lab web page. John M. Cheeseman (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/cheeseman/main/). You know that a site that begins with, "Purveyors of Versimilitude and Synthesizers of the Obvious since 1975," will be fun! Contains links to his research on mangroves . The site contains links to courses on form and function in higher plants; introduction to plant biology; and field ecology. A software program (that you can download) for a multimedia textbook on photosynthesis (by Dr. Cheeseman and M. Lexa) is also available at (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/cheeseman/photosynthesis/main.html). Richard J. Cogdell (http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/ibls/staff/staff.php?who=PPQ|ed) Follow the links to a very rich web site with incredible images of light-harvesting complex II and the reaction centers. William Cramer (http://www.bio.purdue.edu/people/faculty/cramer/Cramer/html/index3.html). Contains good descriptions and figures of work with the structure of cytochrome b6f complex, cytochrome f and the Rieske iron-sulfur protein. Antony Crofts (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/crofts/ahab/home.html). This site is a virtual goldmine of information. There is much here on the cytochrome bc1 complex and many other subjects, including many helpful links. It is great fun to watch the movement of the Rieske Iron sulfur protein. Charles Dismukes (http://www.princeton.edu/~catalase/). A good site that contains many links to research on photosynthetic water splitting enzyme; manganese catalase; manganese cubane; and paleobiochemistry; it has good figures and discussions. Graham Fleming (http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/grfgrp/) contains information on the use of femtosecond spectroscopy to study light-harvesting photosynthetic compounds and many fun photos. The group photo is intriguing, especially the armed mob at the far right. Also check out his lab’s work on quantum mechanical effects in photosynthesis (http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/PBD-quantum-secrets.html) which may replace the classical energy transfer models.
Harry Frank: photosynthetic musician performs "melted carrot" Harry Frank (http://chemistry.uconn.edu/FrankGroup/frankg.html). Contains several brief descriptions of work on the structure and function of carotenoids; role of xanthophylls in non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence; electrochemistry of cofactors of photosynthetic reaction centers. There are many fun things here and even a link to the Harry Frank podcast with the good professor on electric guitar [!] playing his song "melted carrot" as well as great discussion of carotenoids (http://chemistry.uconn.edu/FrankGroup/frank_podcast.html), and lots more. Petra Fromme (http://www.public.asu.edu/~pfromme/index.html) uses crystallography to study the biophysical chemistry of membrane proteins. Much of her work can be found in links to PDF files. Susan Golden (http://www.bio.tamu.edu/facmenu/faculty/sgolden.htm). There information on the functional genomics of Synechococcus elongatus. Govindjee (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/govindjee/). This site contains many links to all parts of the photosynthesis universe. There is a nice “Photosynthesis Education” site at http://www.life.uiuc.edu/govindjee/PSed_index.htm); slides made in 1998 on various aspects of photosynthesis starting at http://www.life.uiuc.edu/SpringGov/lectures/lecture04/slides through lecture07/slides Research publications in the areas of primary photochemistry; role of bicarbonate in Photosystem II; chlorophyll a fluorescence, among other topics can be found arranged according to journals and to topics. There are photographs of scientists and complete information on Volumes 19-25 of the Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Arthur R. Grossman (http://carnegiedpb.stanford.edu/research/grossman2003_rev1/index.html). It begins with, "There are oceans of biological questions and enigmatic organisms out there," and links to research involving cyanobacteria including some that live in hot springs. Devens Gust (http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/faculty/gust/index.htm). It has links to an article on "Why Study Photosynthesis"; discussion of artificial photosynthesis including the making of proton gradients, and molecular electronics. Roger Hangarter (http://www.bio.indiana.edu/~hangarterlab/). This site discusses environmental sensory response systems and plant development. It has Plants-in-motion time lapse movies; has information on Arabidopsis and links to Arabidopsis data bases; and has laboratory exercises for teaching plant growth and motion from elementary schools through college. Although not always directly related to photosynthesis, it is a fun site. See for yourself. [Hint: check out the really weird Conehead saga at the Prymaat Files (http://www.bio.indiana.edu/~hangarterlab/otherstuff/prymatfiles/prymatmain.html)] Alfred R. Holzwarth (http://www.mpi-muelheim.mpg.de/mpistr_holzwarth.html). Contains information on Photosystems I & II, antenna systems and more. Anastasio Melis (http://epmb.berkeley.edu/facPage/dispFP.php?I=25) studies green algae for photosynthetic production of hydrogen and hydrocarbon biofuels. Sabeeha Merchant (http://www.chem.ucla.edu/dept/Faculty/merchant/index.html). This is a wonderful site on 'Biochemistry of Molecular Genetics and Metal Metabolism'; it has publication lists since her PhD days, but more importantly many of her papers on cytochromes and plastocyanin and a major review are available in PDF files. We find her 'Useful Links' very useful indeed. They include research resources; companies; composition (that has the famous "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk on line, loved by us); dictionaries; on-line journals; and genome data bases. There are also many, many photos of students, colleagues and meetings. Kenneth R. Miller (http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/index.html) from Brown University. Structure and function in biological membranes is the theme of research at this site. There is an interesting essay on "Life's Grand Design" (http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/lgd/index.html); and a link to an interesting article in Discover on the perils and pitfalls of life with a Y chromosome (http://www.discover.com/issues/feb-95/departments/whitherthey470/) . (Both of us needed to read it.) The site also contains information on beautiful biology text books by Miller and Joseph Levine. He has also become a well-known media supporter of evolution and critic of intelligent design and there is even a link to his appearance on the television show, the Colbert Report! (http://www.brown.edu/Courses/BI0020_Miller/talks/colbert-miller.mov)
Jon Nield at the Imperial College, London (http://www.bio.ic.ac.uk/research/nield/) has an incredibly rich site that covers the major protein complexes involved in photosynthesis. There are numerous discussions and incredible figures. For example, on his site you can click on any part of the complete structure (shown above) and it will jump to a drawing of the individual complex with links to the various subunits. Wonderful. James Norris (http://norrisgroup.uchicago.edu/index.html) conducts work on the photosynthetic reaction center. The links to his people are revealing and wacky. Gunnar Öquist (http://static.upsc.se/goquist.htm). His site discusses their research on "Stress and Adaptation Mechanisms in Photosynthesis" at Umeå University. Donald Ort (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/ort/index.html). The site describes the strategies used by his laboratory on "Molecular biochemical basis for environmental effects on photosynthesis and photosynthetic energy transduction." There is information on the possibilities of growing crops under future conditions of global change and links to his work at the USDA/ARS Photosynthesis Research Unit. Kintake Sonoike (http://www.biol.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/users/sonoike/lab-e.htm). The site contains some background on photosynthesis. The group studies 'Dynamics of photosynthesis under different types of stresses'. These include temperature, low CO2, and rain. There is a colored cartoon of the 4 protein complexes of the thylakoid membrane. F. Robert Tabita (http://www.osumicrobiology.org/faculty/ftabita.htm). Molecular regulation, biochemistry and enzymology of carbon dioxide assimilation is the theme of research. You can study a conceptual model showing interplay of various factors involved in signal transduction and regulation of a gene. Further, structure predictions for archaeal RUBISCOs are shown. Steve Theg (http://www-plb.ucdavis.edu/labs/theg/). The theme is transport of proteins across biological membranes and their assembly into larger multimeric complexes. Recent publications are listed in an elegant manner along with the photos of the cover pages of the journal; some are available as PDF files. An interesting text by Steve Theg is: "Are you a cell biologist, a biochemist or a geneticist?"(http://www-plb.ucdavis.edu/labs/theg/cartoon.htm). The site provides links to on-line journals; resources; data bases; software; and dictionary. Elaine Tobin (http://www.mcdb.ucla.edu/Faculty/TOBIN/tobin.html). The theme here is phytochrome-regulated developmental processes, particularly of circadian clock in Arabidopsis. Publication list is very helpful. On the emotional side, you can see Philip Thornber's Memorial bench and its description by Alan Paulson (http://www.mcdb.ucla.edu/Research/Tobin/bench.html). Wim F. J. Vermaas (http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/faculty/vermaas.html). The theme is the molecular genetics of photosynthetic proteins. Wim studies structure, function and assembly of photosynthetic proteins by genetic engineering. Recent publication list up to 1999 is available. Also, you can read "An Introduction to Photosynthesis and its Application", published in World & I in 1998 (http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/education/photointro.html). His link to one of the courses he teaches opens into his incredibly rich site on genetics and society. Elizabeth Vierling (http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/vierling/). The theme is "heat-shock proteins"; as molecular chaperones; during seed development; in Arabidopsis; and in Synechocystis. A list of publications organized by subject is also available.
David Alan Walker is a "retired" professor of photosynthesis who is producing some very interesting books and other items related to photosynthesis filled with humor and good illustrations (http://www.dawalker.staff.shef.ac.uk/daw/home/index.htm). His books appear in the section on "Books" later on in this paper. In Ausgust 2004 he was presented The International Society of Photosynthesis Research's Communication Award for his outstanding efforts to help communicate informaton about photosynthesis to the general public. Michael R. Wasielewski (http://www.chem.northwestern.edu/~wasielew/research.htm). There is good information and links here for photo-induced electron transfer, artificial photosynthesis, molecular electronics, among others. Neal Woodbury (http://www.public.asu.edu/~laserweb/woodbury/woodbury.htm). The theme is 'Molecular dynamics and mechanisms in protein mediated chemical reactions'. Molecular level control of reaction mechanisms by protein structure is studied. Both antenna and reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria are used. Ultrafast spectroscopy and hole burning methods are used. Charles F. Yocum (http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/cyocum/). The theme is biochemistry of photosystem II and oxygen evolution. The site has a complete lecture (with figures) entitled "Light, Life and Photosynthesis: How Plants make Oxygen." You will find it at http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/cyocum/files/lecture/CPROFLECT1.htm.
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Author Contact Information : Larry Orr Govindjee This article is based on a Review published |
