Pushing Photosynthesis to the Red Limit

Oxygenic photosynthesis is the primary energy source for life on earth and for our global food supply, yet it typically uses only the visible portion of sunlight, which amounts to an energy loss of more than 50%. Recent discoveries have however revealed many diverse photosynthetic organisms are instead capable of using light outside of this visible range, performing so-called “far-red” photosynthesis. This has sparked excitement in the field about introducing far-red photosynthesis into crops to boost yields, which is an increasingly urgent goal in light of food security challenges posed by climate change. Such a challenge calls for a concerted effort, by a highly interdisciplinary group of scientists, to fully understand the molecular drivers of far-red light photosynthesis.

This workshop will therefore bring together key researchers to discuss and share their expertise with each other. Key outcomes of this workshop will include mapping scientific challenges, establishing interdisciplinary collaborations, and drafting a white paper to share insights with the broader community.