Scientists determine the structure of highly efficient light-harvesting molecules in green bacteria

		IMAGE: The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) results enabled the scientists to determine that the chlorophyll molecules (shown in green and orange) in green bacteria are arranged in helical spirals, and are... Click here for more information.

An international team of scientists has determined the structure of the chlorophyll molecules in green bacteria that are responsible for harvesting light energy. The team's results one day could be used to build artificial photosynthetic systems, such as those that convert solar energy to electrical energy. A research paper about the discovery will be published on 4 May 2009 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.