The mechanism of water splitting in photosynthesis

Atmospheric oxygen is replenished through the photosynthetic water splitting reaction. This reaction is catalysed by the pigment-protein complex Photosystem II and is one of the most highly efficient in Nature, yet its mechanism remains unknown. Our spectroscopic studies of this reaction will provide a new experimental approach to establish the oxidation states and the structural dynamics of the catalytic site, which Biology has used over the past 2,500 million years. The outcome of our research will advance Australian technology in bio-inorganic catalysis while training a new generation of Australian scientist in biophysical chemistry.