Photosynthesis in a Single Protein

We report the optimization of a self-assembling artificial protein reaction center capable of nearly quantitative charge separation with microsecond lifetimes using a phthalocyanine primary donor as well as a variety of natural and synthetic electron donor and acceptor cofactors. We will further discuss the fusion of this protein domain into a chimera with the diflavin domain of cytochrome P450, with the intention of creating a single-chain protein capable of light-powered NADH production. The goal is a single gene which can make any micro-organism photosynthetic.