13-Mar-2026
How an #alga makes the most of dim light
A freshwater alga captures far-red light for #photosynthesis by rearranging ordinary #chlorophyll
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1119709 #science #ecology
Researchers discovered that a freshwater alga captures low-energy far-red light by precisely arranging ordinary chlorophyll molecules, rather than inventing new pigments. The finding reveals a new structural strategy for photosynthesis in low-light environments and could inform future bioenergy and protein design.
#phototrophy #photosynthesis #chlorophyll #retinal #ATP #plants #microorganisms #evolution #biology #biochemistry #science
Original open access article
Burnetti et al. 02 February 2026, npj Complex 3, 9
Priority effects inhibit the repeated evolution of phototrophy
#FYI #PaulBeckwith video lecture #phototrophy #photosynthesis #chlorophyll #retinal #ATP #plants #microorganisms #evolution #biology #biochemistry #science
Paul & Newton introduce a highly interesting paper on how and why plants/microorganisms developed #energy production from #sunlight twice differently.
(And yes, we also have rhodopsin in our eyes, we "see" with it. From the incoming light it produces electric signals for the brain.)
#PhotoOfTheDay: A Sea Aswirl With #Chlorophyll
One of NASA’s newest Earth-observing sensors extends and improves the continuous measurement of light-harvesting pigments in ocean surface waters.
These images of the southern Norwegian Sea were created using observations made by PACE’s OCI on July 12, 2025.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154699/a-sea-aswirl-with-chlorophyll
Wordmark
michael
Supplement Inspektor
Ivi Choc
Ivi Choc
Knowledge Zone
Forest Ecosystems