Photosynthetic Hydrogen Production: Computational Experimental Results are Indicative that Evolutionary Mutants May Allow for Commercial Viability

摘要

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are rising to alarming levels in our atmosphere. An economy and a transportation infrastructure based on molecular hydrogen and fuel cells could positively affect global climate change. Generation of molecular hydrogen as a biofuel, i.e. generation of hydrogen via photosynthetic algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) would allow for a cheap and renewable energy source. However, the enzyme responsible for hydrogen gas generation (hydrogenase) has a short half-life and is extremely sensitive to oxygen.