中国科学院王文达：向海洋藻类借光 设计未来的高效光合作用

Core Viewpoint - The presentation discusses the significant role of marine microalgae in photosynthesis and their potential applications in enhancing agricultural productivity and carbon capture technologies. Group 1: Importance of Marine Microalgae - Marine microalgae are capable of self-sustaining through sunlight and contribute significantly to Earth's oxygen supply, with photosynthesis producing 2.2 trillion tons of organic matter annually and fixing 4 trillion tons of CO2, nearly ten times human energy consumption [3][19]. - Marine algae contribute to 45% of global primary productivity, equivalent to that of terrestrial ecosystems, with red algae being major contributors [4][21]. Group 2: Research Focus on Red Algae - The research team focuses on red diatoms and coccolithophores due to their dominant role in marine ecosystems and their significant contribution to carbon and nitrogen cycles [22][23]. - Diatoms alone contribute approximately 20% of global photosynthetic productivity, comparable to all tropical rainforests [22]. Group 3: Mechanisms of Light Capture - Diatoms possess unique light-harvesting mechanisms that allow them to utilize green light, which is typically not absorbed by terrestrial plants [27][28]. - The FCP (Fucoxanthin-Chlorophyll Protein) complex in diatoms enhances their ability to capture green light, with a structure that includes multiple pigment molecules [26][27]. Group 4: Technological Innovations - The use of advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction and cryo-electron microscopy has enabled the detailed study of the structures of light-harvesting proteins in diatoms, revealing their efficiency in light energy conversion [29][30]. - The research indicates that the largest light-harvesting complex in coccolithophores achieves over 95% energy conversion efficiency, showcasing a significant advancement in understanding photosynthetic mechanisms [28][30]. Group 5: Future Applications - The potential to transfer the light-capturing mechanisms of diatoms to terrestrial crops could significantly enhance agricultural yields, particularly in densely planted crops where lower leaves receive insufficient light [28][32]. - The integration of AI in predicting and designing proteins could accelerate the development of high-yield crops and improve photosynthetic efficiency, contributing to solutions for food security and carbon neutrality goals by 2060 [32][33].