title: Photosynthesis research in Italy: a review.
abstract: This historical review was compiled and edited by Giorgio Forti, whereas the other authors of the different sections are listed alphabetically after his name, below the title of the paper; they are also listed in the individual sections. This review deals with the research on photosynthesis performed in several Italian laboratories during the last 50 years; it includes research done, in collaboration, at several international laboratories, particularly USA, UK, Switzerland, Hungary, Germany, France, Finland, Denmark, and Austria. Wherever pertinent, references are provided, especially to other historical papers in Govindjee et al. [Govindjee, Beatty JT, Gest H, Allen JF (eds) (2005) Discoveries in Photosynthesis. Springer, Dordrecht]. This paper covers the physical and chemical events starting with the absorption of a quantum of light by a pigment molecule to the conversion of the radiation energy into the stable chemical forms of the reducing power and of ATP. It describes the work done on the structure, function and regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus in higher plants, unicellular algae and in photosynthetic bacteria. Phenomena such as photoinhibition and the protection from it are also included. Research in biophysics of photosynthesis in Padova (Italy) is discussed by G.M. Giacometti and G. Giacometti (2006).
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Biofisica del CNR, Sezione di Milano e Dipartimento di Biologia dell'Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy. giorgio.forti@unimi.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forti
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agostiano
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barbato
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brugnoli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finazzi
authors.forename: Flavio M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Garlaschi
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Bruno Andrea
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Melandri
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venturoli
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zannoni
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zucchelli
mesh_terms: D001671:Biochemistry / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D007558:Italy; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*