SCAN: Biological Energy Transduction

SCAN Seminar

Title: Biological Energy Transduction

Speaker: Manuela M. Pereira

Affiliation: Biological Energy Transduction Laboratory

Abstract

Life depends on constant energy transduction mechanisms. In most organisms, from prokaryotes to eukaryotes the obtained energy whether from light, inorganic or  organic compounds is transduced into a transmembrane difference of electrochemical potential across the prokaryotic cytoplasmatic or mitochondrial membranes. For example, non-photosynthetic organisms obtain energy by the degradation of organic food components, such as proteins, glycides and lipids, which feeds electrons to the respiratory chain. Here the electron transfer is coupled to the translocation of ions across the membrane and the energy thus released by the favorable electron transfer is transduced to the form of a transmembrane difference of electrochemical potential. This transmembrane potential is vital for solute/nutrient cell import, synthesis of ATP and motility.
In our group we study the molecular mechanisms of electron transfer, ion translocation and their coupling. As model systems we use respiratory chains and their components. I will present three examples of our latest results in the study of energy transduction by respiratory complexes.