This Ph.D. thesis deals with principles of microalgae cultivation in laboratory as well as outdoor aquacultures (Chapter 1) using various cultivation systems and photobioreactors (Chapter 2). Case studies illustrate the main research topic as to correlate changes in growth rate with variation of photosynthetic activity, physiological features and biomass composition (Chapter 3). Special attention was paid to elaboration of protocols of chlorophyll a fluorescence techniques for monitoring the physiology and photosynthetic performance of microalgae mass cultures maintained under various growth conditions (Chapter 4).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-21Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:34:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bufalo_j_me_botfca.pdf: 2411379 bytes, checksum: 2fce4263cf95244f6d7f29c8bc7250bc (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A família Lamiaceae se destaca pela utilização de muitas de suas espécies como medicinais, condimentares, aromáticas e ornamentais. Entre elas, a Mentha piperita L., produz óleo essencial amplamente utilizado nas indústrias farmacêuticas, de bebidas alcoólicas, alimentícias e de cosméticos. Leonurus sibiricus L., além de medicinal, é conhecida pela produção de terpenóides e substâncias fenólicas com efeitos alelopáticos, apresentando-se também como planta invasora. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a atividade do extrato metanólico de folhas de L. sibiricus, no desenvolvimento, trocas gasosas e metabólitos do óleo essencial de M. piperita, cultivada em solução nutritiva. Para tanto, foram utilizadas concentrações iguais a 25, 50 e 100 mg L-1 de extrato metanólico das folhas de L. sibiricus no cultivo hidropônico da M. piperita durante parte de seu ciclo de desenvolvimento. As variáveis, comprimento de parte aérea, área foliar, massa seca dos diferentes órgãos, razão de área foliar, razão de massa foliar, área foliar específica, taxa assimilatória líquida, taxa de crescimento relativo, distribuição de massa seca para os diferentes órgãos, trocas gasosas, e composição química dos óleos essenciais foram avaliadas em diferentes épocas. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que as menores concentrações do extrato metanólico de L. sibiricus, 25 e 50 mg L-1, estimularam o desenvolvimento da M. piperita, estimulando a translocação de matéria orgânica nas plantas, enquanto esse processo prejudicado nas plantas cultivadas com 100 mg L-1, pode ter sido responsável por seu menor desenvolvimento. As trocas gasosas da M. piperita foram influenciadas pela presença do extrato metanólico e estimuladas pelas concentrações iguais a 25 e 50 mg L-1 do extrato. O extrato metanólico de L. sibiricus influenciou os teores dos componentes do óleo... / The family Lamiaceae is known for the use of many species as medicinal, condiments, aromatic and ornamental. Among them, Mentha piperita L. essential oil produces widely used in industries pharmaceutical, beverages, food and cosmetics. Leonurus sibiricus L., besides medicinal, produces terpenoids and phenolic substances with allelopathic effects, what explains its invasive behaviour. The present study aimed to evaluate the activity of methanolic extract of leaves of L. sibiricus in the development, gas exchange and metabolites of essential oil of M. piperita, cultivated in nutritive solution. Thus, were used concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 mg L-1 of methanolic extract of leaves of L. sibiricus in the hydroponic cultivation of M. piperita during part of its development cycle. The variables, shoot length, leaf area, dry matter of different organs, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, specific leaf area, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate, dry matter distribution in several organs, gas exchange and composition of essential oils were evaluates at different times. The results showed that low concentrations of methanolic extract of L. sibiricus, 25 and 50 mg L-1, stimulated the development of M. piperita, stimulating the translocation of organic matter in plants, while this process affected in plants grown with 100 mg L-1, may have been responsible for yours less development. The gas exchange of M. piperita were influenced by the presence of methanolic extract and stimulated by concentrations 25 and 50 mg L-1. The methanolic extract of L. sibiricus influenced the levels of the essential oil components of M. piperita, depending on the concentration used, since, at lower concentrations, the plants showed higher levels of menthone and menthol, thus rendering an oil of quality and plants cultivated in the highest concentration showed higher levels of menthyl acetate and menthofuran... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Les microalgues sont souvent considérées comme de potentielles candidates pour la production d'énergie. Cependant, le lien entre l'énergie contenue dans la biomasse et l'énergie nécessaire pour cultiver les microalgues, en particulier pour agiter la culture, est complexe. Le mélange a un effet direct sur la photosynthèse car il affecte la façon dont les cellules sont successivement transportées entre la lumière et les zones sombres. En particulier, l'hydrodynamique module la fréquence à laquelle la lumière est perçue par les cellules. Dans cette thèse nous avons étudié la réponse du processus de photosynthèse à divers signaux lumineux. Tout d'abord, l'effet de cycles lumière-obscurité a été étudié à l’aide d'un modèle mécaniste de photosynthèse et de croissance. Il a été montré que l'augmentation de la fréquence lumineuse augmente l'efficacité photosynthétique. Ensuite, nous avons développé un modèle de photoacclimatation, en supposant à la fois un changement dans le nombre et la section des photosystèmes. Les concepts proposés ont ensuite été validés expérimentalement. Un dispositif à base de LED a été développé et des cycles lumière-obscurité de fréquences variables ont été appliqués à Dunaliella Salina. Les résultats confirment les prédictions des modèles, comme la dynamique de photoacclimatation. Enfin, un modèle hydrodynamique 3D a été simulé pour un raceway. Cela a permis de reconstruire numériquement les trajectoires lagrangiennes de cellules, et donc d’évaluer le signal lumineux perçu par les microalgues. Ces trajectoires réalistes ont alors alimenté un modèle de photosynthèse et ont permis de comprendre l’effet du mélange sur l'efficacité photosynthétique. / Microalgae are often seen as a promising candidate to contribute to energy generation in the future. However, the link between the energy contained in the biomass and the required energy to grow the microalgae, especially to mix the culture, is complex. Mixing has a direct effect on photosynthesis since it affects the way cells are successively transported between light and dark zones, especially the hydrodynamics modulates the frequency at which light is percept by the cells. In this thesis the question of nonlinear response of the photosynthesis process to varying light signals at different time scales has been investigated. Firstly, the effect of light-dark cycle frequency on the response of a mechanistic model for photosynthesis and growth has been studied. It is shown that increasing the light supply frequency enhances photosynthetic efficiency. A model for photoacclimation has been developed assuming both a change in the number and the cross section of the photosystems. The proposed concepts have been experimentally validated using a self-developed LED device to expose the green algae Dunaliella Salina to light-dark cycles at different frequencies. The results support model hypotheses, i.e. mid-term photoacclimation depends on the average light intensity. Finally, a 3D hydrodynamic model for a raceway type culturing device has been used to compute Lagrangian trajectories numerically. Based on the trajectories, time-dependent light signals for individual cells have been calculated. Using these light signals, a photosynthesis model was integrated in order to investigate the dependency of photosynthetic efficiency on hydrodynamic regime.

The effect climate change has on forest trees is a large scaled topic. It is to believe that one of the largest threat to the environment today is global warming (IPPC, 2007). The use of fossil fuels seems to be the big threat with its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and therefore forest is of interest. Forest contributes in several ways. Forest trees work as a renewable source of numerus materials and as it takes up CO 2 from the greenhouse gasses it gives us oxygen (O2). The important process of photosynthesis, to able production of more trees and creation of more forests, tells us the vitality of understanding the tree physiology to the fullest. The response of photosynthesis to temperature is a central facet of trees’ response to climate change. With its photosynthesis plants play a large role in the carbon cycle as they store the hazardous carbon dioxide helping us humans to deal with problems directly linked to climatic change and in the same time they build up biomass that can be used as a renewable source. To understand, and to find the key, how plants can achieve optimum potential of photosynthesis several observations were made using plant material from fertilized and unfertilized Picea abies. Well acknowledged leaf gas exchange measurements were used to see the limitations of photosynthesis, observing the net CO2 uptake rate (Anet), the maximum Rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax), maximum rate of electron transport for regeneration of RuBP (Jmax) and their unique response to temperatures. For three days observations were conducted at the Slu Asa field research station in Lammhult, Sweden. In addition to gas exchange measurements, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and chlorophyll content was measured in needles of the fertilized and unfertilized P. abies to see if the content somehow made an impact on photosynthetic parameters and the influence nutrients might have on the specific leaf area (SLA). Results from the observations showed that optimum temperature for photosynthesis varies to be by fertilized 22°C and unfertilized 19°C. The net photosynthetic rate responded to the influence by added fertilizers to almost a double, 9.10 μmol m−2 sec−1 than of the unfertilized, 5.36 μmol m−2 sec−1. These results indicate that a fertilized P. abies has a greater potency to capture carbon than of an unfertilized P. abies. The result also reveals the future prospect of adding fertilizer to a P. abies as a potential of growth in biomass as well as a carbon sink when atmospheric CO2 levels rise. There were no great differences in the behaviour between Vcmax and Jmax to the added or non-added fertilized P. abies. Perhaps the fact that given fertilizer contained both nitrogen and phosphorous could have in their combinations influenced the sensitivity of the relationship between them two and therefore also the result. The presence of N and P in the fertilized P. abies affected the concentration of chlorophyll positively, paving the way for photosynthesis, accumulated biomass and possibly for trees defence against abiotic stress factors.

Doctor of Philosophy / Chemistry / Ryszard J. Jankowiak / The structure-function relationships of natural pigment–protein complexes are of great interest, as the electronic properties of the pigments are tuned by the protein environment to achieve high quantum yields and photon utilization. Determination of electronic structure and exciton dynamics in protein complexes is complicated by static disorder and uncertainties in the properties of system-bath coupling. The latter is described by the phonon profile (or spectral density), whose shape can only be reliably measured experimentally for the lowest energy state. Low-temperature, laser-based spectroscopies are applied towards model pigment–protein complexes, i.e., the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) and water-soluble chlorophyll-binding (WSCP) complexes, in order to study system-bath coupling and energy transfer pathways. Site-selective techniques, e.g., hole burning (HB) and fluorescence line narrowing, are utilized to overcome static disorder and reveal details on homogeneous broadening. In addition, excitonic calculations with non-Markovian lineshapes provide information on electronic structure and exciton dynamics. A new lognormal functional form of the spectral density is recommended which appropriately defines electron-phonon parameters, i.e., Huang-Rhys factor and reorganization energy. Absorbance and fluorescence spectral shifts and HB spectra reveal that samples of FMO may contain a subpopulation of destabilized proteins with modified HB efficiencies. Simulations of spectra corresponding to intact proteins indicate that the entire trimer has to be taken into account in order to properly describe fluorescence and HB spectra. The redshifted fluorescence spectrum of WSCP is described by uncorrelated energy transfer as opposed to previous models of excited state protein relaxation. Also, based on nonconservative HB spectra measured for WSCP, a mechanism of electron transfer between chlorophylls and aromatic amino acids is proposed.

Submitted by Lucas Kortz Vilas Boas null (lucas_kortz@hotmail.com) on 2016-09-12T14:56:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilas Boas LK - Mudancas Climaticas Fotossintese Macroalgas.pdf: 1912021 bytes, checksum: 8077336ed1e0eb9ca6558109e4f51712 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-14T19:21:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 vilasboas_lk_me_rcla.pdf: 1912021 bytes, checksum: 8077336ed1e0eb9ca6558109e4f51712 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-14T19:21:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 vilasboas_lk_me_rcla.pdf: 1912021 bytes, checksum: 8077336ed1e0eb9ca6558109e4f51712 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Apesar da existência de ciclos de alterações da temperatura média global na história da Terra, atividades antrópicas têm causado um aumento das concentrações de gases do efeito estufa na atmosfera desde a revolução industrial, causando mudanças climáticas já observadas nas últimas décadas. Tais mudanças climáticas afetam os organismos de ambientes aquáticos continentais, incluindo os produtores primários (p.ex., macroalgas). Utilizando as técnicas da evolução da concentração de oxigênio dissolvido, da concentração de pigmentos fotossintetizantes e da fluorescência da clorofila a, avaliou-se o efeito do aumento de temperatura devido ao aquecimento global, previsto em dois cenários futuros (RCP 4.5 e RCP 8.5 do Painel Intergovernamental de Mudanças Climáticas - IPCC) sobre as respostas fotossintéticas de macroalgas lóticas. As temperaturas controle foram determinadas, para os períodos de inverno e verão, a partir da temperatura média de riachos da região onde as amostras de macroalgas (Filos Rhodophyta, Cyanobacteria e Chlorophyta) foram coletadas e as temperaturas experimentais calculadas adicionando-se os aumentos previstos pelos cenários testados do IPCC. A resposta à simulação dos cenários do IPCC se deu de modo espécie-específico, contudo, os resultados gerais indicaram que dentre as espécies testadas, as Rhodophyta (Batrachospermum helminthosum Bory, Sirodotia delicatula Skuja e estágio “Chantransia”) teriam sua eficiência fotossintética prejudicada com o aumento de temperatura, principalmente no cenário RCP 8.5 no verão. Adicionalmente, a maior parte das Chlorophyta investigadas não mostrou perdas significativas na produtividade, com algumas espécies demonstrando inclusive uma melhor performance nos cenários experimentais em relação ao controle. Dessa maneira, na possível concretização do cenário RCP 8.5, a contribuição autóctone das Rhodophyta em riachos seria prejudicada, um efeito que poderia impactar em toda a teia trófica, especialmente em ambientes lóticos sombreados de baixas ordens, onde algas vermelhas estão entre os principais produtores primários. Ao mesmo tempo, a eventual confirmação das previsões do cenário RCP 8.5 poderia produzir um aumento na riqueza, abundância e distribuição de algas verdes, podendo impactar em aspectos importantes das comunidades de produtores primários dos ambientes lóticos. / Despite the existence of global mean temperature shift cycles in Earth’s history, anthropogenic activities have been causing an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases since the industrial revolution, inducing the climate changes already observed over the last decades. Such climate changes affect freshwater organisms, including primary producers (i.e. macroalgae). Using the techniques of dissolved oxygen evolution, photosynthetic pigments concentration and chlorophyll a fluorescence, we evaluated the effect of projected temperature increase due to global warming of two future scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC) on the photosynthetic response of lotic macroalgae. Control temperatures were determined, for summer and winter seasons, from the mean temperature of streams of the region where macroalgae samples (phyla Rhodophyta, Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta) were collected and experimental temperatures were calculated adding the projected increase of the tested IPCC scenarios. The response to the IPCC scenarios simulation showed a species-specific pattern, although results in general indicated that within tested species, the red algae (Batrachospermum helminthosum Bory, Sirodotia delicatula Skuja and “Chantransia” stage) would have their photosynthetic efficiency impaired with temperature increase, especially in scenario RCP 8.5 during the summer. In addition, most Chlorophyta investigated did not show a significant productivity loss, with some species demonstrating an improved performance in the experimental scenarios. Hence, if global warming scenario RCP 8.5 comes to occur, the autochthonous contribution of Rhodophyta would be jeopardized, an effect that could propagate throughout the entire food web, especially in shaded, low-order, lotic ecosystems, where red algae are among the main primary producers. Furthermore, the eventual confirmation of RCP 8.5 scenario predictions could result in a boost of green algae richness, abundance and distribution, which may impact important aspects of the primary producers’ community in lotic environments.

Orientador: João Domingos Rodrigues / Banca: Ubirajara Contro Malavasi / Banca: Elisabeth Oriko Ono / Banca: Carmem Silvia Fernandes Boaro / Banca: José Antonio Proenço Vieira de Moraes / Resumo: A luz pode ser considerada um dos principais fatores ambientais no controle da germinação e desenvolvimento de diferentes espécies, principalmente em plantas nativas. Tendo em vista a importância da espécie Peltophorum dubium para a utilização no re-povoamento de áreas degradadas, arborização e paisagismo, avaliou-se o comportamento fisiológico de suas sementes analisando a influência da luz eo efeito de um protetor físico com diferentes filtros no processo germinativo, emergência, crescimento inicial e trocas gasosas de suas plântulas. Para tanto, frutos maduros de canafístula foram coletadas em diversas matrizes em setembro de 2007. Após a coleta, os frutos foram levados para o Laboratório de Interações Tróficas do Departamento de Botânica do Instituto de Biociência da Unesp/Botucatu onde foram beneficiadas e escarificadas. Desta forma, instalou-se os seguintes tratamentos: T 1- gerbox transparente; T2- gerbox transparente + celofane transparente; T3- gerbox preto; T4- gerbox preto + celofane transparente; T5- gerbox transparente + celofane azul e T6- gerbox transparente + celofane vermelho. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: porcentagem de germinação, IVG, comprimentos de radícula, de epicótilo, de cotilédone e da plântula, massa seca, clorofilas a, b, totais e relação a/b. Em um segundo experimento realizado na área aberta do Departamento de Botânica (22° 52' de latitude, 48 ° 26' de longitude), no Instituto de Biociências, Unesp, Botucatu - SP, utilizando-se um protetor físico constituido por garrafas do tipo P.E.T. (Polietileno Teraftalato) com volume de 2500 mL sem fundo e sem tampa. Diferentes comprimentos de ondas luminosas foram obtidos acoplando as garrafas do tipo P.ET. com duas camadas de papel celofane com diferentes tonalidades (transparente, azul e vermelho). Desta forma, obtiveram-se os seguintes tratamentos: T1, ausência... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Light is considered one of the major environmental factors controlling the germination and development of different species, mainly native ones. Based on the importance of the species Peltophorum dubium for revegetation of degraded areas, tree planting and landscaping, this study evaluated germination, emergence, initial growth and gas exchanges of canafistula seedlings under light influence by using physical protectors presenting different filters. Thus, the following treatments were adopted: T1, transparent germination box; T2, transparent germination box + transparent cellophane; T3, black germination box; T4, black germination box + transparent cellophane; T5, transparent germination box + blue cellophane; T6, transparent germination box + red cellophane. The evaluated characteristics were: germination percentage, germination velocity index (GVI), radicle, epicotyl, cotyledon and seedling ngth, dry matter, total chlorophylls and their fractions a and b, and the ratio a/b. A second experiment was carried out in an open area from the Department of Botany (22° 52' S, 48 ° 26' W), Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in which physical protectors corresponding to polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-type bottles (2500 mL) without lid and bottom were used. Different wavelengths were obtained when two layers of cellophane paper of different colors (transparent, blue and red) were added to the PET-type bottles. Thus, the following treatments ere established: T1, absence of physical protector (APP); T2, transparent physical protector (TPP); T3, transparent physical protector + blue cellophane (BPP); and T4, transparent physical protector + red cellophane (RPP). The experimental design was completely randomized, with 4 treatments x 6 evaluation times and 5 replicates. Emergence velocity index (EVI), seedling emergence, survival... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-08-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:40:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 echer_fr_dr_botfca.pdf: 4842043 bytes, checksum: 06b4f79b757963153f851a4cb3d85067 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O algodoeiro é considerado um dos fotossistemas mais complexos entre as plantas cultivadas, com alta demanda por luminosidade. A hipótese foi de que o efeito do sombreamento sobre a produtividade e qualidade de fibra do algodoeiro depende da sua época de incidência e da população de plantas. Foram conduzidos experimentos em Paranapanema- SP (espaçamentos de 0,48; 0,75 e 0,96 cm); Primavera do Leste – MT (espaçamentos de 0,45 e 0,76 m) e Chapadão do Céu – GO, (espaçamentos de 0,45 e 0,90 m). A redução da luz incidida foi de 50%, durante 7-10 dias, no início de cada estádio fenológico: B1 (1º botão floral), F1 (1ª flor), F7 (1ª flor no 7o nó), C3 (1º capulho no 3o nó) e o controle sem sombra. O efeito da idade da folha e do sombreamento foi avaliado em casa de vegetação na FCA/Unesp em Botucatu, SP, sendo construídas curvas de resposta das trocas gasosas à densidade de fótons em função da idade da folha; do sombreamento em função da idade da folha e do sombreamento em função da densidade de fótons. Não houve interação do espaçamento com a época de incidência da sombra sobre a produtividade e na qualidade da fibra, pois as folhas mais velhas, da parte inferior do dossel, necessitam de menos luz para atingirem a saturação luminosa. A sombra reduziu o potencial fotossintético da folha e o seu efeito foi maior que a diminuição causada pela idade da folha. Folhas jovens sombreadas não recuperaram a sua capacidade fotossintética, mesmo após receberem fluxo crescente de fótons. O aumento da temperatura noturna diminuiu o conteúdo de carboidratos disponíveis aos frutos, entretanto o estádio fenológico que é mais sensível não está definido. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da alta temperatura noturna sobre componentes fotossintéticos e de produção do algodoeiro nas fases de botão... / Cotton plant, as a C3 photosynthetic mechanism, is extremely dependent of good conditions of luminosity. The hypothesis was that the effect of shading on yield and fiber quality depends on shading stage and plant population. Three sets of experiments were conducted in the field, one in Paranapanema, SP, during a normal growing season (row width of 0.48, 0.75 and 0.96 m); the second in Primavera do Leste - MT, as a second crop (0.45 and 0.76 m) and last one in Chapadão do Céu - GO, also as a second crop (0.45 and 0.90 m). The row width ranged from 0.45 to 0.96 m, and shading periods were B1, F1, F7, C3, and a control treatment. The reduction of incident light was 50% for 7 days in Paranapanema and 10 days in Chapadão do Céu and Primavera do Leste. The greenhouse experiments were conducted in Botucatu, SP. Curves of gas exchange response to photon density as a function of leaf age were fitted, also the effect of shading as a function of leaf aging and shading as a function of photon density were investigated. There was no significant interaction between row spacing and shading periods on cotton yield and fiber quality in any of the three sets of field experiments, because the oldest leaves of the lower canopy, require less light to reach the light saturation point. Shading reduced leaf photosynthetic potential and its effect was greater than the decrease caused due to leaf aging. Young leaves shaded did not recover their photosynthetic capacity, even after increasing photon flux density. Increasing high night temperatures has been reported to decrease the content of available carbohydrate to cotton fruits, however the phenological stage which is more sensitive to this effect has not been defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of high night temperature on the carbohydrate content, photosynthetic... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

The MSc. thesis "Effect of mineral fertilization on photosynthetic characteristics of Carex acuta" deals with photosynthetic characteristics of plants subjected to different nutrient regimes. Stands dominated with Carex acuta were studied din two localities: Záblatské louky with organic soil and Hamr with mineral soil. The experimental treament was subjected to high fertilization, while the control treatment received no nutrient addition. The net assimilation was measured using Licor 6400. The aim was to find out whether the net assimilation was higher in fertilized plants as compared with non-fertilized plants. In spring the fertilized plants did not have higher photosynthetic rates at either locality, probably because of water limitation. The positive effect of fertilization was proved only at Hamerské louky after the second cut.

abstract: A vast amount of energy emanates from the sun, and at the distance of Earth, approximately 172,500 TW reaches the atmosphere. Of that, 80,600 TW reaches the surface with 15,600 TW falling on land. Photosynthesis converts 156 TW in the form of biomass, which represents all food/fuel for the biosphere with about 20 TW of the total product used by humans. Additionally, our society uses approximately 20 more TW of energy from ancient photosynthetic products i.e. fossil fuels. In order to mitigate climate problems, the carbon dioxide must be removed from the human energy usage by replacement or recycling as an energy carrier. Proposals have been made to process biomass into biofuels; this work demonstrates that current efficiencies of natural photosynthesis are inadequate for this purpose, the effects of fossil fuel replacement with biofuels is ecologically irresponsible, and new technologies are required to operate at sufficient efficiencies to utilize artificial solar-to-fuels systems. Herein a hybrid bioderived self-assembling hydrogen-evolving nanoparticle consisting of photosystem I (PSI) and platinum nanoclusters is demonstrated to operate with an overall efficiency of 6%, which exceeds that of land plants by more than an order of magnitude. The system was limited by the rate of electron donation to photooxidized PSI. Further work investigated the interactions of natural donor acceptor pairs of cytochrome c6 and PSI for the thermophilic cyanobacteria Thermosynechococcus elogantus BP1 and the red alga Galderia sulphuraria. The cyanobacterial system is typified by collisional control while the algal system demonstrates a population of prebound PSI-cytochrome c6 complexes with faster electron transfer rates. Combining the stability of cyanobacterial PSI and kinetics of the algal PSI:cytochrome would result in more efficient solar-to-fuel conversion. A second priority is the replacement of platinum with chemically abundant catalysts. In this work, protein scaffolds are employed using host-guest strategies to increase the stability of proton reduction catalysts and enhance the turnover number without the oxygen sensitivity of hydrogenases. Finally, design of unnatural electron transfer proteins are explored and may introduce a bioorthogonal method of introducing alternative electron transfer pathways in vitro or in vivo in the case of engineered photosynthetic organisms. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biochemistry 2014