Photosynthesis research in Italy: a review.
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).
Forti
Giorgio
G
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
Agostiano
Angela
A
Barbato
Roberto
R
Bassi
Roberto
R
Brugnoli
Enrico
E
Finazzi
Giovanni
G
Garlaschi
Flavio M
FM
Jennings
Robert C
RC
Melandri
Bruno Andrea
BA
Trotta
Massimo
M
Venturoli
Giovanni
G
Zanetti
Giuliana
G
Zannoni
Davide
D
Zucchelli
Giuseppe
G
D001671:Biochemistry / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D007558:Italy; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*