Science

Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts) Sat Jun 16, 2018, 01:35 AM Jun 2018

New type of photosynthesis discovered

Date:
June 14, 2018
Source:
Imperial College London

The discovery changes our understanding of the basic mechanism of photosynthesis and should rewrite the textbooks.

It will also tailor the way we hunt for alien life and provide insights into how we could engineer more efficient crops that take advantage of longer wavelengths of light.

The discovery, published today in Science, was led by Imperial College London, supported by the BBSRC, and involved groups from the ANU in Canberra, the CNRS in Paris and Saclay and the CNR in Milan.

The vast majority of life on Earth uses visible red light in the process of photosynthesis, but the new type uses near-infrared light instead. It was detected in a wide range of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) when they grow in near-infrared light, found in shaded conditions like bacterial mats in Yellowstone and in beach rock in Australia.

More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180614213608.htm

3 replies

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New type of photosynthesis discovered (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jun 2018 OP

Oh, my. PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2018 #1

So perhaps life on planets around stars with the radiation spectrum shifted into the red. Igel Jun 2018 #3

Another great science article. Thank you for posting it. CentralMass Jun 2018 #2

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,862 posts)

1. Oh, my.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sat Jun 16, 2018, 02:32 AM

Jun 2018

This also opens the door to other kinds of life on other planets, I would think.

My son, the astronomer (he's in grad school right now) is researching exo-planets, and even though he's not doing the research that's looking for life, we do have conversations on this topic.

Igel

(35,320 posts)

3. So perhaps life on planets around stars with the radiation spectrum shifted into the red.

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

Sat Jun 16, 2018, 08:51 AM

Jun 2018

Red dwarves and giants, for instance.

However, my first thought was, "Maybe they can find the genes and modify Augustine grass to grow better in the shade now."

CentralMass

(15,265 posts)

2. Another great science article. Thank you for posting it.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sat Jun 16, 2018, 07:09 AM

Jun 2018

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