In addition to the photographs shown in this News Report for the 2011 conference, the
readers will find other photographs, especially of the soccer game at: http://sergei.physics.purdue.edu:7925/Gordon and of others at http://www.life.illinois.edu/govindjee/g/Photo/Gordon2011.html. To name just one example of the many exciting scientific presentations, we mention the 1.9 Å atomic level structure of Photosystem II, particularly of the Mn4CaO5 (H2O)4 Nutlin-3a complex (Umena et al. (2011) Crystal structure of oxygen-evolving photosystem II at a resolution of 1.9 Å. Nature 473: 55–60). The plenary lecture by Jian-Ren Shen (Okayama University, Japan, Fig. 3) was followed by a presentation by Johannes Messinger (Umeå University, Sweden, Fig. 3). These talks resulted in a highly thought-provoking and exciting informal discussion on Photosystem II, particularly of the mechanism of oxygen evolution (some of the key players are pictured in Fig. 3). Fig. 3 Photosystem JQ1 manufacturer II researchers engaged in thought-provoking discussions at the Gordon Research Conference on Photosynthesis. Top row (left to right) Jian-Ren Shen (Japan), William (Bill) Rutherford (UK), Ron Pace (Australia).
Bottom row (left) Gennady Ananyev, Charles (Chuck) Dismukes (his picture is included although he was physically not there, but he was there in spirit, and Selleck GSK872 Through three of his students, who attended the conference, not shown) and Nikolai Lebedev (all of them from USA); (middle) Johannes Messinger (Sweden); (right, top) Junko Yano (USA); (right, bottom) Robert (Rob) Burnap (USA) Another highlight of the 2011 Gordon Research Conference on Photosynthesis was the session on biofuels,
which was led by Alison Smith (University of Cambridge, Fig. 4). Through presentations by Nanette Boyle (University of California, Los Angeles), Willem (Wim) Vermaas (Arizona State University, Fig. 4), Anastasios (Tasso) Melis (University of California, Berkeley, Fig. 4), and Ursula Goodenough (Washington University, Fig. 4), multiple approaches for utilizing energy from photosynthesis for our own energy needs were discussed. This section was followed by an exciting and inspiring Pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 1 lecture by Donald (Don) R. Ort (USDA Agriculture Research Station, Urbana, IL) on “Photosynthetic efficiency: limits and opportunities.” We refer interested readers to a recent highly relevant review coauthored by many of the conference’s attendees (Blankenship et al. (2011) Comparing photosynthetic and photovoltaic efficiencies and recognizing the potential for improvement. Science 332:805–809). Fig. 4 The growing field of biofuels was well represented at the 2011 Gordon Research Conference on Photosynthesis. Clockwise from top left Sabeeha Merchant (USA), Alison Smith (UK) & Ursula Goodenough (USA), Anastasios (Tasso) Melis (USA), Willem (Wim) Vermaas (USA), and Robert (Bob) Blankenship (USA) No Gordon Research Conference on Photosynthesis would be complete without the annual soccer match.