Abstract
We present here the research contributions of Jan Amesz (1934–2001) on deciphering the details of the early physico-chemical steps in oxygenic photosynthesis in plants, algae and cyanobacteria, as well as in anoxygenic photosynthesis in purple, green, and heliobacteria. His research included light absorption and the mechanism of excitation energy transfer, primary photochemistry, and electron transfer steps until the reduction of pyridine nucleotides. Among his many discoveries, we emphasize his 1961 proof, with L. N. M. Duysens, of the “series scheme” of oxygenic photosynthesis, through antagonistic effects of Light I and II on the redox state of cytochrome f. Further, we highlight the following research on oxygenic photosynthesis: the experimental direct proof that plastoquinone and plastocyanin function at their respective places in the Z-scheme. In addition, Amesz’s major contributions were in unraveling the mechanism of excitation energy transfer and electron transport steps in anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (purple, green and heliobacteria). Before we present his research, focusing on his key discoveries, we provide a glimpse of his personal life. We end this Tribute with reminiscences from three of his former doctoral students (Sigi Neerken; Hjalmar Pernentier, and Frank Kleinherenbrink) and from several scientists (Suleyman Allakhverdiev; Robert Blankenship; Richard Cogdell) including two of the authors (G. Garab and A. Stirbet) of this Tribute.
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Source: Archives of the Amesz family
Source: Archives of the Amesz family
Source: Plant Biology, CIW
Source: Archives of the Amesz family
Source: Bas Amesz; caption by: Hjalmar Permentier
References
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Acknowledgements
We thank Hans van Gorkom for providing us contacts with Jan Amesz’s family. We also thank Hans Amesz, Jan’s brother, for checking and editing the “Introduction” part of this Tribute. We are highly grateful to Robert E, Blankenship for checking the final revised copy before its submission.
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Govindjee initiated the idea of writing this In Memoriam article on the life and research contributions of Jan Amesz, and drafted his research contributions; Bas Amesz drafted the Introduction, which was edited by Govindjee; Győző Garab revised, and edited the research contribution part of the paper; and Alexandrina Stirbet prepared the key figures (Figs. 3 and 4) and checked the entire manuscript, including the references, before the submission of this paper.
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Govindjee, G., Amesz, B., Garab, G. et al. Remembering Jan Amesz (1934–2001): a great gentleman, a major discoverer, and an internationally renowned biophysicist of both oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesisa. Photosynth Res 160, 125–142 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-024-01102-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-024-01102-9
Keywords
- Anoxygenic photosynthesis
- Bacteriochlorophyll
- Carnegie Institute of Washington
- Cytochrome f
- Chlorophyll
- Chromatium sp.
- Louis (Lou) N.M. Duysens
- Electron transfer
- Excitation energy transfer
- Heliobacteria
- Primary photochemistry
- Reaction center
- Rhodopseudomonas sp.
- Rhodospirillum sp
- Plastocyanin
- Plastoquinone
- Two-electron gate
- Winkler Prins prize
- Z-scheme