Photosynthesis rewired to generate hydrogen

An image showing the PSI–hydrogenase chimera

Source: © Kevin Redding/Arizona State University

Gene transplant repositions algal hydrogenase so that it directly captures electrons from photosystem I

Scientists have successfully directed photosynthetic electron flow away from fixing carbon dioxide and towards proton reduction by fusing together photosystem I and algal hydrogenase in vivo. Modified algae cells expressing the PSI–hydrogenase chimera produce hydrogen in a light dependent fashion at high rates.