ABSTRACT
We provide here an edited version of the "Farewell discussion" by the late Aleksandr (Alex) Yuryevich (Yu) Borisov (1930-2019) on several aspects related to the excitation energy transfer in photosynthetic bacteria. It is preceded by a prolog giving the events that led to our decision to publish it. Further, we include here a few photographs to give a personal glimpse of this unique biophysicist of our time. In addition, we provide here a reminiscence, by Andrei B. Rubin, on the scientific beginnings of Borisov. This article follows a Tribute to Borisov by Semenov et al. (2019, Photosynthesis Research, this issue).
Subject(s)
Energy Transfer , Photosynthesis , Proteobacteria/metabolism , Rhodospirillum rubrum/metabolism , Bacteriochlorophylls/history , Bacteriochlorophylls/metabolism , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Photochemistry/history , Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins/history , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Louis Nico Marie (L. N. M.) Duijsens (Duysens) was one of the giants in the biophysics of photosynthesis. His PhD thesis "Transfer of Excitation Energy in Photosynthesis" (Duysens, 1952) is a classic; he introduced light-induced absorption difference spectroscopy to photosynthesis research and proved the existence of reaction centers, introducing advanced methods from physics to understand biological processes. Further, it is his 1959-1961 seminal work, with Jan Amesz, that provided evidence for the existence of the series scheme for the two light reactions in oxygenic photosynthesis. In one word, he was one of the master biophysicists of the 20th century-who provided direct measurements on many key intermediates, and made us understand the intricacies of photosynthesis with a simplicity that no one else ever did. We present here our personal perspective of the scientist that Lou Duysens was. For an earlier perspective, see van Grondelle and van Gorkom (Photosynth Res 120: 3-7, 2014).
Subject(s)
Biophysics , Photochemistry , Photosynthesis , Biophysics/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Light , Netherlands , Photochemistry/historyABSTRACT
The passionate study of the complex and ever-evolving discipline of organic synthesis over more than a four-decade span is certain to elucidate meaningful and significant lessons. Over this period, Amos B. Smith III, the Rhodes-Thompson Professor of Chemistry and Member of the Monell Chemical Senses Center at the University of Pennsylvania, has mentored well over 100 doctoral and masters students, more than 200 postdoctoral associates and numerous undergraduates, in addition to collaborating with a wide spectrum of internationally recognized scholars. His research interests, broadly stated, comprise complex molecule synthesis, the development of new, versatile and highly effective synthetic methods, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, peptide mimicry chemistry and material science. Each area demands a high level of synthetic design and execution. United by a passion to unlock the secrets of organic synthesis, and perhaps of Nature itself, innumerable lessons have been, and continue to be, learned by the members of the Smith Group. This lead article in a Special Issue of the Journal of Antibiotics affords an opportunity to share some of those lessons learned, albeit a small selection of personal favorites.
Subject(s)
Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic/history , Chemistry, Organic/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Indole Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Indole Alkaloids/history , Mentoring , Photochemistry/history , Universities/historyABSTRACT
The article presents a short history of David Shugar studies in the field of photochemistry and UV spectroscopy of proteins and nucleic acids, carried out since the late 1940s. to the beginning of the 1970s. of the 20th century, with some references to the state of related research in those days.
Subject(s)
Biochemistry/history , Nucleic Acids/history , Photochemistry/history , Proteins/history , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet/history , Belgium , France , History, 20th Century , Nucleic Acids/chemistry , Poland , Proteins/chemistrySubject(s)
Biochemistry/history , Chemistry/history , Biochemistry/methods , Chemistry/methods , Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic/history , Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic/methods , Germany , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Photochemistry/history , Photochemistry/methods , Steroids/chemical synthesis , Steroids/chemistryABSTRACT
At the invitation of Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev, I provide here a brief autobiography for this special issue that recognizes my service and research for the larger international community of photosynthesis research.
Subject(s)
Photosynthesis , Research/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Photochemistry/historySubject(s)
Chemical Engineering/history , Chemistry, Physical/history , Ecology/history , Ecology/methods , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Mass Spectrometry/history , Mass Spectrometry/methods , Photochemistry/history , Photochemistry/methods , Radiochemistry/history , Radiochemistry/methods , United StatesABSTRACT
We provide here a brief News Report on the 100th birth anniversary of Academician Alexander Abramovich Krasnovsky, one of the greatest photobiochemists of our time, who was born on August 26, 1913 and died on May 16, 1993. We provide here a short description of his research, followed by some photographs. He was a pioneering intellectual in the area of chlorophyll photochemistry, and was always ahead of his time; he, indeed, was a remarkable human being.
Subject(s)
Biochemistry/history , Photochemistry/history , Chlorophyll/physiology , History, 20th Century , Humans , RussiaABSTRACT
Light induced isomerization of the retinal chromophore activates biological function in all retinal protein (RP) driving processes such as ion-pumping, vertebrate vision and phototaxis in organisms as primitive as archea, or as complex as mammals. This process and its consecutive reactions have been the focus of experimental and theoretical research for decades. The aim of this review is to demonstrate how the experimental and theoretical research efforts can now be combined to reach a more comprehensive understanding of the excited state process on the molecular level. Using the Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin as an example we will show how contemporary time-resolved spectroscopy and recently implemented excited state QM/MM methods consistently describe photochemistry in retinal proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Retinal Proteins - You can teach an old dog new tricks.
Subject(s)
Anabaena/chemistry , Photochemistry/history , Retinaldehyde/chemistry , Sensory Rhodopsins/chemistry , Anabaena/physiology , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Isomerism , Light , Models, Molecular , Photochemistry/methods , Photochemistry/statistics & numerical data , Quantum Theory , Retinaldehyde/metabolism , Sensory Rhodopsins/metabolism , Spectrum Analysis/methods , Thermodynamics , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Photochemistry/history , Physics/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , NetherlandsSubject(s)
Photobiology/history , Photochemistry/history , Research/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Male , Portraits as TopicSubject(s)
Color Vision , Photochemistry/history , Retina/physiology , Animals , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Rhodopsin/chemistryABSTRACT
The chemistry of singlet molecular oxygen [1O2 (1Delta g)], its importance in atmospheric, biological, and therapeutic processes, and its use as a reagent in organic synthesis have been of considerable interest. Many aspects of singlet oxygen chemistry have emanated from the work of Christopher S. Foote and co-workers. Singlet oxygen is a historically interesting molecule with an unusual story connected with its discovery. Foote and Wexler conducted experiments in the 1960s where evidence was obtained supporting 1O2 generation via two independent routes: (1) a photochemical reaction (dye-sensitized photooxidation) and (2) a chemical reaction (NaOCl with H2O2). An important factor in the discovery of 1O2 as the critical reaction intermediate in dye-sensitized photooxygenations was Foote's reassessment of the chemical literature of the 1930s, when 1O2 was suggested to be a viable intermediate in dye-sensitized photooxidation reactions. Experiments that used silica gel beads provided evidence for a volatile diffusible oxidant such as 1O2. However, a contemporaneous quarrel surrounded this early work, and the possible existence of solution-phase 1O2 was ignored for over 2 decades. Not long after Foote's initial studies were published in 1964, the idea of singlet oxygen as an intermediate in photooxidation chemistry gained increasing recognition and verification in organic, gas phase, and biological processes. There are many documented impacts that 1O2 has had and continues to have on biology and medicine, for example, photodynamic therapy and plant defenses.
