Construction of Artificial Light Harvesting System Using Hemoprotein Assemblies

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K14036
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Takashi 大阪大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (20222226)
• Research Collaborator: Oohora Koji 大阪大学, 大学院工学研究科, 助教 (10631202)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 人工光合成 / 光捕集 / ヘムタンパク質 / 触媒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study has focused on generation of artificial photosynthesis by the combination of protein-based artificial light harvesting systems and catalysts. To achieve this goal, we especially demonstrated the construction of the new-types of hemoprotein assemblies and an artificial light harvesting system. In the former, micelle-like, heroical and ring-shaped assemblies were prepared and characterized as pigment-containing protein assemblies as scaffolds of light harvesting systems. In the latter, multiple photosensitizers were introduced to hexameric hemoprotein and its light harvesting function was evaluated. Furthermore, modification of the artificial light harvesting system by synthesized catalysts was attempted for the photo-induced catalysis.

Free Research Field

生物無機化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、人工合成を最終ゴールとして、新規なタンパク質を基盤とする光捕集系と触媒の導入を研究した。近年のエネルギー問題を考える上で、人工合成の実現は非常に重要な課題であり、天然光合成系でも利用されているタンパク質は光捕集系の足場として、有用であることが本研究の学術的知見として得られた。今後、導入する触媒の検討や最適化により太陽光の効率的な利用によるエネルギー生産や物質変換への応用が期待される。