Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Photosystem II (PSII) is the sole enzyme capable of forming O2 from water in oxygenic photosynthesis. However, PSII is also capable of using O2 to form various reactive oxygen species that can damage these biomolecules. Therefore, a delicate balance between O2 evolution and O2 consumption reactions in oxygenic photosynthesis led to terraforming the atmosphere on planet Earth. In this dissertation, I have combined methods from molecular cloning, spectroscopy, merged with mathematical analysis to investigate the assembly, stability, and catalysis of the PSII oxygen-evolving complex.

Date

4-20-2025

Committee Chair

David J. Vinyard

Available for download on Thursday, April 20, 2028

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