Geron Panhasi of the University of Kalmar in Sweden and his research colleagues have confirmed that a protein commonly found in marine bacteria, called proteorhodopsin, not only absorbs sunlight but also dyes.
It not only gives rise to colorful landscapes but also enables these microbes to be synthesized in a completely different way.
Protein was discovered by American experts
In 2000 and also identified the genes in marine bacteria that contain the commands to make this protein. However, at the same time, US experts have suggested that proteorhodopsin is not just a pigment-protein, but that it may also provide energy for bacteria from sunlight.
20 species of microbes
To confirm this idea, Panhasi and his colleagues combined 20 species of microbes found in different oceans and performed a detailed genetic analysis.
Many of these species contained the protease rhodopsin. After further exploring these bacteria, they regularly discovered that the proteorhodopsin not only absorbs sunlight but also provides the energy needed for the bacteria from this light.
Synthetic energy sources
In addition to the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, experts from Spain also collaborated with Calmer University in the study. Based on these results, it will be possible to work on new synthetic energy sources that will not only be environmentally friendly but also cost-effective.