Light-driven energy generation using proteorhodopsin

Abstract

A light-driven energy generation system using proteorhodopsin is provided. The system includes a light source, a host with a correctly folded, integrated proteorhodopsin protein, a source of retinal, and a mediator. The source of retinal binds covalently to the integrated proteorhodopsin protein, thereby creating a light absorbing pigment. Illumination of the light absorbing pigment with the light source results in conversion of light energy to biochemical energy. This biochemical energy is harnessed by the mediator to produce light-driven energy, such as mechanical, chemical or electrical energy.

1 . A light-driven energy generator, comprising:
 a) a light source;   b) a host with a correctly folded, integrated proteorhodopsin protein;   c) a source of retinal to bind covalently to said integrated proteorhodopsin protein, thereby creating a light absorbing pigment, wherein illumination of said light absorbing pigment with said light source results in conversion of light energy to biochemical energy; and   d) a mediator, wherein said biochemical energy is harnessed by said mediator to produce said light-driven energy.   
     
     
         2 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said host is an artificial membrane system. 
     
     
         3 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said host is a cell membrane obtained from a bacterium. 
     
     
         4 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said host is a cell membrane preparation obtained from a bacterium. 
     
     
         5 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said host is a cell membrane obtained from a eukaryote. 
     
     
         6 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said host is a cell membrane preparation obtained from a eukaryote. 
     
     
         7 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said light source is a fast-pulsed light source. 
     
     
         8 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said fast-pulsed light source comprises a mechanism for delivering intermittent fast-light pulses at predetermined time intervals. 
     
     
         9 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said light source exhibits different predetermined wavelengths. 
     
     
         10 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said light-driven energy is in the form of mechanical, chemical, or electrical energy. 
     
     
         11 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said retinal is a chemical derivative of a naturally-occurring retinal. 
     
     
         12 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said proteorhodopsin has a photocycle that decays in 15 ms. 
     
     
         13 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said proteorhodopsin protein is selected to determine an absorption spectra of said light absorbing pigment. 
     
     
         14 . The light-driven energy generator as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said light absorbing pigment has an absorption spectra with a maximum between 490 nm and 527 nm.